My-eScooter calls for a reform of tax benefits for sustainable mobility
Comments Off on My-eScooter calls for a reform of tax benefits for sustainable mobilityMy-eScooter, a company from Nivelles specialized in the production and distribution of innovative electric scooters, reopens the debate on the tax benefits of soft mobility for companies.
It may sound absurd, but in Belgium it is currently not possible to use your mobility budget for scooters or other sustainable means of company transport. They are simply not considered “bicycles” in the eyes of the law. In practice, however, electric scooters are already part of the solution. As an example, consider the My-eScooter scooters from GSK and ALD.
This is not a sharing scooter
Talking about the growing importance of mobility budgets for companies is actually kicking in an open door. The integration of personal electric scooters provides an additional alternative to the soft mobility of our companies, far from the shared scooters that roam our cities. The need for sustainable and flexible solutions has never been greater, except for our legislator apparently…
Urgent: the electric scooter must be considered a “bicycle”.
A quick refresher: since 2021, Belgian employers can enjoy a number of tax benefits to encourage their staff to make use of soft mobility. All costs specifically incurred for the purpose of promoting this use are 100% deductible as business expenses. The purchase, maintenance costs, helmets, padlocks, safety vests, batteries, leasing costs and even healthcare are all included.
The elephant in the room:
The legislator does not (yet) regard the electric scooter as a “bicycle”. Yet this means of transport is the perfect complement to cars and bicycles.
There is no clear equivalence for VAA, mileage allowance or deductibility. However, electric bicycles and scooters have an electric motor and battery and solve the same problem: soft mobility over short distances.
“This is absurd when you look at the added value of electric scooters in mobility plans. The proof is the tests carried out in collaboration with GSK and the lease applications with ALD,” underlines Sanjeev D’Souza, founder of the My-eScooter brand.
Convincing tests at GSK
At DSK, approximately 9,000 employees have a mobility budget. Patrick Vlasselaer, Mobility Manager, is organizing the promotion of electric scooters for the second consecutive year. “By lending the different My-eScooter models, our employees can test and find the electric scooter that suits their profile, both for commuting and for private activities. Initially, I focused on employees who live within a radius of 7 km from the head office, approximately 300 people. The feedback was very positive, thanks to the quality of the products and the innovative options for safe mobility. In consultation with my colleagues from HR, we hope to also introduce this extra soft mobility alternative in our internal offers.”
An existing offer at Ayvens (ALD Automotive | LeasePlan)
The leasing specialist did not wait for the legislator to include electric scooters in the offer for companies, but the fiscal brake is already noticeable. When leasing, Irene Malla, Product Manager, pays close attention to 3 criteria: “The quality of the product, the range of maintenance and the flexibility of the solution. I found this added value at My-eScooter. The portfolio is innovative, there is They also have an after-sales service in Belgium and they offer battery regeneration if necessary. We regret that Belgian legislation is an obstacle for our customers, because the demand is certainly there.”
About My-eScooter
My-eScooter is a Belgian company specialized in the production and distribution of innovative electric scooters. Their mission is to encourage alternative and sustainable mobility at work and for personal use. The range of innovative and environmentally friendly products includes electric scooters with replaceable batteries and an exclusive battery regeneration service. As a Belgian company, My-eScooter is the partner of the most important players in the field of mobility. www.my-escooter.com