Bulgaria: 82% increase in electric and 58% in hybrid vehicles in one year

The number of hybrid vehicles running on a combination of electricity and conventional fuel is significantly higher in Bulgaria at 25,467, of which electricity and gasoline are the most common combination, reaching 21,842. There were a total of 16,116 hybrid vehicles in July 2021, which means that hybrid cars have increased by 58% in just one year, according to the data.

These increases follow European trends. The benefits of electric and hybrid vehicles are cleaner air in urban environments, less noise and less harmful gas emissions, all of which contribute to the fight against climate change.

The purchase of electric vehicles is subsidized in many countries. No such measures are taken in Bulgaria for private consumers at the moment, although assistance has been granted to central and local government for the purchase of such vehicles under the National Trust EcoFund.

Until last year, the Fund only provided assistance for the purchase of hybrid cars, but this year’s program is fully aimed at electric cars. The amounts available for the purchase of such vehicles by the administrations vary from BGN 20,000 to BGN 40,000, depending on the model and size.

In addition to contributing to a cleaner environment, electric vehicle drivers in Bulgaria enjoy a number of benefits, such as free parking in paid parking zones in cities, tax exemptions and low fuel costs, especially due to rising prices.

Owners of electric vehicles told the Bulgarian news agency BTA that one of the main problems is the lack of charging stations, which are even completely absent in some cities.

Source: AMPE