EV Charging reimbursement - how fuel and maintenance perquisite is applied to electric vehicles?

Hi team, Was wondering how fuel and maintenance perquisite is applied to electric vehicles.

currently anything billable can be reimbursed to the employee as part of fuel allowance and employee can claim tax benifits.

however, how do we go about EV's which are being charged at home.

please advise.

thanks

It is difficult to fix a rate as there is so much variation in the mileage claimed by different OEMs and the newer models are announcing unbelievable figures. As an encouragement to switch to EV vehicles, it is suggested to keep the same rate as applied to diesel & petrol vehicles of the same engine capacity.

Hi @KK!HR,

thanks for the reply.

Reimbursement of local conveyance is out of scope of this discussion.

Let me elaborate my question further.

Companies usually have fuel allowance in the salary or part of choice pay/special allowances. If the employee opts for it then the amount opted can be reimbursed to avail tax benefits.

Given the above context:

Petrol/CNG/Diesel will be reimbursed at actuals provided that the employee submit the bills.
EV's charged at stations will also be reimbursed at actuals provided employee submits the bills.

the catch is, EV's can also be charged at home in addition to the charging stations. If the EV is charged at home the bill is usually includes the the entire household.

in this case how will the reimbursement procedure work?

thanks in advance

Hi,

Added to the above you can educate employees about the IT exemption on the interest paid towards a loan taken specifically to purchase an electric vehicle

The 80EEB is a section of the Income Tax Act, specially curated for electric vehicle buyers who avail of vehicle loans to purchase an EV. This section allows an individual taxpayer to claim a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh on the interest component of the vehicle loan taken to purchase the EV.

Hi Uhcia

You claim that " EV's charged at stations will also be reimbursed at actuals provided employee submits the bills."

So make a Policy and circulate among eligible employees saying that reimbursement for EV will be considered only subject to production of bills. Which means if they want exemption they should charge at stations only and submit bills.

You will not be able to differentiate from a common EB bill how much units used for EV charging. Instead of complicating things further just make a Policy and circulate among eligible employees.

Hi
For EV bills, the employee can submit the number of KW charged at home or outside and basis of KW, the cost can be arrived. The home electricity can be bifurcated basis of KW charged X charge per unit.

Regards
Anjali

HI

Certainly, let's break down the suggestion to keep the rate for Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles the same as diesel and petrol vehicles of the same engine capacity.

Promoting Adoption of EVs: Encouraging the transition to electric vehicles is a crucial step towards achieving environmental sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By offering a similar rate, it incentivizes consumers to consider EVs as a viable alternative.

Addressing Mileage Variations: Mileage claims can vary widely between different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and even among models from the same OEM. This can make it challenging to establish a uniform rate based solely on mileage.

Leveling the Playing Field: Applying the same rate to vehicles of similar engine capacity, regardless of whether they are diesel, petrol, or electric, creates a level playing field for consumers. This ensures that they are not financially penalized or advantaged solely based on the type of vehicle they choose.

Focusing on Engine Capacity: Engine capacity is a well-established metric used to categorize and rate vehicles. It is a tangible and easily quantifiable measure, and it is not dependent on the type of fuel a vehicle uses. This makes it a practical basis for taxation or other financial considerations.

Encouraging Innovation in EV Technology: By maintaining consistent rates, it sends a clear signal to manufacturers that investing in improving the mileage of EVs is a valuable pursuit. This encourages ongoing innovation and technological advancements in the EV sector.

Reducing Consumer Confusion: Having consistent rates simplifies the decision-making process for consumers. They can compare vehicles based on their engine capacity without having to factor in potential variations in mileage claims between different fuel types.

Transition Period: Since EV technology is still evolving, there may be a period where the mileage claims for newer models are indeed impressive. However, as the technology matures and becomes more standardized, these variations are likely to narrow.

Environmental Considerations: Encouraging the use of electric vehicles is aligned with environmental goals, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions. This contributes to reducing air pollution and combating climate change.

In summary, maintaining consistent rates for vehicles of similar engine capacity, regardless of their fuel type, provides a practical and fair approach. It supports the transition to more sustainable transportation options while accounting for the variability in mileage claims across different OEMs and technologies. This approach can help strike a balance between incentivizing EV adoption and ensuring fairness for consumers.
Thanks,