Romania doubles funding for EV subsidies

Romania has doubled the funding for its EV subsidy programme Rabla Plus. The initial funding of €3.2 million was fully used in about three months after its launch, Autovista reports.

From 15 July, the same amount has been made available, offering a purchase incentive of €9,500 for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and €4,200 for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs). 

Thanks to Rabla Plus, total EV sales in Romania increased by almost 70% versus the same period in 2018, to 2,285 units. Market share increased from 2.3% to 3.4%. However, that is still low compared to the EU average of 7%. 

In 2018, the Romanian government announced the creation of 20,000 charging stations by 2020, but that country-wide network is nowhere near completion. That lack of infrastructure is likely to dampen EV sales in Romania in the near future. 

(pictured: Basarab Bridge in Romania’s capital, Bucharest)