site.btaSubsidies for Purchase of Electric Cars in Bulgaria Should Be in Line with Policy of Fiscal Consolidation: Finance Minister Petkova

The potential introduction of subsidies for the purchase of electric cars in Bulgaria should be in line with the spending priorities of the state and the actions to achieve fiscal consolidation of the budget, according to Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, who took part in Question Time in Parliament on Friday. Petkova was responding to a question from Vazrazhdane MP Petar Petrov as to why the Ministry of Finance does not have a programme to subsidise citizens to buy new cars or electric cars. The MP gave the example that in a number of EU countries, such as Greece, Romania, France, Germany, Hungary and others, there are subsidies for the purchase of new cars and electric cars by citizens.

Petkova pointed out that incentives were introduced in 2013 in Bulgaria, making electric cars exempt from vehicle tax. In 2015 and 2018, it was also adopted that electric motorcycles, mopeds, and electric vehicles of certain categories are exempt from tax.

“The Ministry of Finance is ready to discuss concrete proposals for measures and policies to promote electric mobility in line with the sustained policy of fiscal consolidation of the budget,” the finance minister added.

According to her, it is up to each member state to determine the approach related to supporting electric mobility.

Petkova pointed out that a draft law on electric mobility will be soon discussed in Parliament, where MPs will be able to make concrete proposals.