This autumn, the list of automotive benefits looks impressive. It includes discounts on new car purchases, subsidies for installing gas equipment, exemption from transport tax, free parking, and compensation for half the cost of OSAGO.
On paper, there are many opportunities. But if you look at them through the eyes of an ordinary motorist who does not belong to special categories and does not have a special status, the list significantly shrinks. Most support measures are not intended for all drivers.
Preferential car loan — but not for every buyer
The most notable support measure appears to be the preferential car loan. The state compensates 20% of the car's cost, and for residents of the Far East, the discount increases to 25%.
However, not everyone can take advantage of the program. It is designed for specific categories:
- medical workers;
- teachers;
- SVO participants and their family members;
- families with two or more children, for whom a 10% discount is provided.
There are also restrictions directly on the car. Its cost must not exceed 2 million rubles, and the localization level must be at least 2500 points according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade system.
In practice, this means a rather limited choice: primarily Lada, UAZ, and GAZ.
Support for Russian-assembled electric vehicles is provided separately. The discount can reach up to 35%, but its maximum amount is limited to 500 thousand rubles. The list includes Evolute, Voyah, Moskvich 3e, and Amberavto A5.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this support measure is addressed not so much to the motorist as to the domestic automotive industry. The state effectively compensates part of the car's cost to certain buyers to stimulate the purchase of Russian-made cars.
For a driver without special status and without two or more children, this program is simply not provided.
Transport tax, parking, and OSAGO — again special categories
The situation with tax benefits is similar. At the federal level, Heroes of Russia and the USSR, full holders of the Order of Glory, SVO participants, and their family members are exempt from transport tax.
For other motorists, much depends on the specific region.
For example, Moscow exempts electric vehicle owners from transport tax, as well as one parent in a large family. Free city parking is also provided for these categories of citizens.
A separate measure applies to OSAGO. Disabled people can receive 50% compensation for the policy cost if there are medical indications for it.
A rather characteristic picture emerges: almost every one of the listed benefits indeed exists, but applies to a specific category of citizens.
The main options are as follows:
- preferential car loan — for certain categories of buyers;
- exemption from transport tax — for individual beneficiaries, and in some cases for electric vehicle owners and large families depending on the region;
- free parking — also a regional measure;
- compensation for half the cost of OSAGO — with appropriate status and medical indications.
Therefore, the word "drivers" in such lists easily creates a false impression. Formally, it refers to motorists, but most of these benefits are unavailable to the average car owner.
Subsidy for gas equipment — an exception to the rules
However, one measure truly stands out from the rest. This is the subsidy for installing gas cylinder equipment.
In April, the government increased the basic payment amount for a passenger car weighing up to 1800 kg. Previously, it was 32 thousand rubles, now it is 47 thousand.
For private owners and small businesses, the amount of support is doubled, so the sum can reach 94 thousand rubles.
Moreover, it is no longer necessary to belong to any special category of citizens. The main thing is to meet the program conditions.
The car must:
- be no older than 15 years;
- be converted specifically to methane;
- be located in a region participating in the program.
The list of participating entities is maintained by the Ministry of Energy.
It is this subsidy that turns out to be the most interesting for the average motorist. You don't need to be a medic, a teacher, an SVO participant, a parent of many children, or have any other preferential status.
You just need to have a car of suitable age, install methane gas equipment, and live in a region that participates in the program.
As a result, this autumn's impressive list of automotive benefits for the average driver shrinks to almost one truly universal opportunity. Other measures exist, but are primarily intended for those who meet the categories established by the state.