New round of car subsidies coming, with grants worth several thousand euros

Croatian residents could soon get another chance to cut the cost of buying an electric car. After subsidies went to legal entities last year and transport companies and taxi operators earlier this year, citizens are expected to become eligible next.

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund confirmed in mid-July that it was preparing a new sustainable-mobility program. The public call for citizens is expected in October. About 58 million euros has been set aside for the broader package, but that amount also covers other energy-efficiency measures.

Applications for 38 million euros in renewable-energy incentives for family homes are due to begin on September 2. That could leave roughly 20 million euros for electric-vehicle subsidies. The precise amount available to each buyer remains unknown and will be set in the public call. Previous programs offered up to 9,000 euros, although this year’s maximum could be lower.

Plug-in hybrids will not qualify this time. Earlier programs offered up to 5,000 euros for those vehicles, but the new scheme will focus on zero-emission transport. The planned eligible vehicles include new energy-efficient L1 to L7 vehicles, such as mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, as well as M1 passenger cars powered by electricity or hydrogen.

The program may also co-finance the purchase and installation of home charging stations. The application procedure has not yet been confirmed. Businesses previously applied through the Fund’s online application, but officials have not said whether citizens will use the same system. The Fund is expected to publish the conditions, subsidy amounts, eligible vehicles and application method with the official call.

A separate call remains open for taxi operators, delivery services and car-sharing users, with applications accepted until September 30.