A special subsidy program for electric cars, scooters and bicycles is planned by the government with a bill that may be ready next month.

It is recalled that based on the National Plan for Energy and Climate Change, the following objectives have been set:

• in 2020, electric vehicles should be between 1,150 and 1,260 (0.9%-1% of the car market in 2020) and
• in 2021 to range from 3,450 to 3,795 (2,5%-3% of the car market in 2021)

This announcement was made by the Minister of Environment and Energy Kostis Hatzidakis speaking in a teleconference of ONNED on the "green agenda of the government".

Purchase subsidy for electric cars, scooters and bicycles

Ο Minister for the Environment and Energy briefly presented the government's green agenda, referring to fossilization, the promotion of energy saving, electromobility, the preparation and implementation of a National Reforestation Plan, recycling, the creation of cycle paths and the general promotion of cycling, as well as the withdrawal of single-use plastics. "These are not theories. It is a policy that has begun to be implemented and that will become even more visible in the coming days, but also in the coming months", underlined Mr. Hatzidakis.

The incentives for the purchase and use of more electric vehicles were reportedly prepared by the Secretary General of Energy Alexandra Sdoukou, also working with the Ministry of Transport.

According to sources, the subsidy program will initially have a two-year duration (it will concern the years 2020-2021) and will provide for a subsidy of 5,000 euros for the acquisition of an electric car. The funds will come from the Pollutants Fund.

Special government programme for electromobility - Tax incentives

As Mr Kostis Hatzidakis said : "In the planning we have decided to have a special state program for electromobility. The money that will come from the Pollutants Fund has been found. These will incentivise the market, not only for electric cars, but also for electric scooters and electric bicycles. The subsidy for cars will not be staggered, i.e. it will not depend on the value of the car. It will be specific and will apply to all types of cars."

In addition, the Minister of Environment and Energy announced incentives for the purchase of electric bicycles and scooters: "Compared to the subsidy from the state for the purchase of electric cars, the aid for the purchase of a scooter or bicycle will be greater in percentage and more beneficial for the buyer. We want young people to be protagonists in the passage to the new era. Electric cars, scooters and bicycles are not a luxury but an element of the new era", he described characteristically.

The government will soon present the new relevant bill on the tax incentive program, which does not aim to create another package for the withdrawal and replacement of vehicles but to increase the penetration of electromobility, to a large extent in terms of charging infrastructure, and in particular the stations that will give power to cars and will be located in public places.