Bulgaria taking steps to improve electric vehicle environment – CMS Sofia

Even though Bulgaria is a relatively small and undeveloped electric vehicle (EV) market, in the past few months there have been some developments demonstrating some will of the authorities to improve the EV environment so as to achieve the set goals in the policy documents, according to an eAlert from law firm CMS Sofia.

As to the legislative amendments, a draft bill for the amendment and supplement of Decree No. I-45 provides that newly registered EVs after October 1, 2020 will bear green reflective plates, while the number will be in black font. The owners of previously registered EVs can choose whether or not to change to green plates, which would make their cars immediately recognisable as EVs for any future privileges.

Furthermore, municipalities across Bulgaria continue to develop an infrastructure of EV charging stations. As part of town planning, earlier this year the architect-surveyor of Sofia approved schemes for the placement of 25 new EV charging stations, according to CMS Sofia’s eAlert.

Similar projects are going on in several of Sofia’s outlying districts, linked to the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

In line with creating an EV friendly environment in Bulgaria, on September 2, 2019 the National Eco Trust Fund (NETF) announced that it would be financing projects under the Investment Climate Program (ICP) for the purchase of all-electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Through these projects, the central administration, its territorial units and municipalities will be able to apply for funding for the acquisition of a maximum of three vehicles for public use.

There will be no requirements regarding the choice of contractors and the call will remain open for three months until December 2.

The total amount to be allocated will be BGN 120,000 (EUR 60,000) for the following grants: BGN 20,000 for all-electric vehicles (category M1/N1 and L7e); BGN 10,000 for plug-in hybrid vehicles (category M1/N1); BGN 30,000 for all-electric vehicles (category M1/N); and BGN 40,000 for all-electric vehicles (category M2/N2).