Under the plan, all qualified hybrids will be subject to a tax of 42 percent, instead of the current 45-60 percent luxury taxes levied on cars of less than ten seats, the ministry said.

Importers are required to submit any certificates proving their hybrid cars meet energy efficiency standards set for each car model, the ministry said.

The announcement of the plan came after several car importers complained about the lack of an official tax rate for hybrid cars.

The Special Consumption Tax stipulates that cars in which gasoline accounts for no more than 70 percent of the total energy consumption will subject to 70 percent of the luxury tax imposed on cars of the same type. But unsure of whether or not this officially applied to hybrids, car importers have said the customs officials had told them they may have to pay the higher taxes on hybrids.

Although some hybrids have already been taxed the 42 percent rate during customs clearance procedures, the importers said they had to wait to sell the cars, fearing that they would be forced to pay higher duties later, a local newswire reported.