Events

16 Oct 2020

Belarus plans to boost EV incentives

An archive photo

MINSK, 16 October (BelTA) – Belarus is considering additional incentives for buyers of battery-powered cars, First Deputy Industry Minister Sergei Gunko said at the electric mobility promotion forum E-Mobility 2020, BelTA has learned.

“The government, the Industry Ministry and the Economy Ministry are working hard to encourage individuals to buy electric cars. This year, a decree of the head of state came into force to offer individuals a zero customs duty and VAT exemption for importing electric vehicles. This resulted in a hockey stick growth on the market. Today the Industry Ministry and the Economy Ministry are considering additional incentives,” Sergei Gunko said.

One of the proposals is to offer a discount for purchasing an electric car: for scrapping an internal-combustion vehicle a person will get incentive cheques. “Such a mechanism is under discussion,” the first deputy minister said. As far as legal entities are concerned, they might be offered an investment tax credit if they switch to electric vehicles.

“Panel discussions are underway. Everyone is interested in additional incentives. I hope that at the beginning of the next year we will be able to produce a normative document that will be submitted to the head of state,” Sergei Gunko added.

The electric mobility promotion forum E-Mobility 2020 is taking place in Minsk on 16 October. Taking part in the forum are representatives of the Energy Ministry, the Belarusian industrial group Belorusneft, the Industry Ministry, the Transport and Communications Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the State Traffic Inspectorate, representatives of enterprises and companies which business is related to electric transport. The Forum participants discuss the effectiveness of the stimulating measures implemented in Belarus in order to encourage the use of electric transport and to develop the vehicle charging infrastructure. They also discuss issues, which resolution may help bolster the potential of this segment.

Discussions are held around several areas of interest: a forecast of the development of the electric transport market and the charging infrastructure in Belarus taking into account the forthcoming launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the industrial potential for manufacturing Belarusian electric vehicles, R&D products in the area of electric transport, electric vehicles and a healthier urban environment.

The forum has been organized by the Energy Ministry and Belorusneft.