A Polish subsidy scheme launched at the weekend for electric car (EV) buyers is a step towards net zero and may help efforts to turn the country into a manufacturing and innovation hub, campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) said on Monday.
Anticipated in the country’s recovery plan published last July, the NaszEauto (Our e-car) scheme excludes large fleet owners but shows the country’s investment in the EV value chain and could place it at the forefront of innovation, T&E said.
The scheme is part of a broader recovery plan, alongside investments in renewable energy generation, legislative changes for energy storage and investments in R&D and technology.
The European Commission is set to present an auto industry action plan on March 5.
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hosted auto sector executives, unions and interest groups last week to debate themes including how to help EU car producers electrify their fleets, as they grapple with the threat of U.S. trade tariffs and a reliance on China for critical minerals and batteries.
The NaszEauto programme will provide 1.6 billion zloty (USD 387 million) in support for individual car buyers, T&E said.
Incentives will be up to 40,000 zloty per purchase, including allowances for families with three or more kids and low income households, the Polish National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and the Ministry of Climate and Environment said.
New electric cars under 225,000 zloty are eligible.
Less than 40% of applicants in a previous subsidy programme were businesses, T&E said.
“It is clear that supporting the renewal of large fleets with zero-emission vehicles will have the biggest impact”, T&E said.
“Nevertheless the program is an important step in boosting sales of zero emission cars in Poland, particularly amongst lower income households.”
