Illustrative stock photo (source: Sme)
The scheme to support the purchase of electric and plug-in hybrid cars has been extended in Slovakia. While it originally was scheduled to close at the end of 2017, those pondering the purchase of these cars can get a contribution up to €5,000 when obtaining an ecological car by the end of June 2018.
Since the launch of the scheme last November the state has supported the purchase of about 450 electric or plug-in hybrid cars. In total, about 1,600 ecological cars have been purchased in Slovakia so far this year.
“This is a very progressive development in Slovakia,” said Juraj Sinay, president of The Slovak Automotive Industry Association (ZAP).
Yet electric and plug-in hybrids make up only a fraction of the cars used in Slovakia when approximately 80,000 new cars are annually registered in Slovakia.
The Slovak Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA) also supported the extension of the scheme while it especially sees it as a promotional tool.
“This scheme should help get more electric cars onto the streets and this is already happening,” Peter Ševce, director of SEVA, told The Slovak Spectator, adding that electric cars like each new technology needs some support to establish itself at the beginning. “This is already happening when new businesses like the electric taxi are already emerging.”
