Subotica residents protest new electric vehicle rules, demand grace period

A group of citizens in Subotica has entered the third day of protests against new regulations governing electric vehicles. Their primary demands include a reasonable grace period for registering electric vehicles and obtaining the necessary driving permits. They are also advocating for a transitional solution for owners of electric bicycles bought before the new rules were implemented.

Protesters have launched a petition and formally invited the head of Subotica's traffic police to meet with them on July 20 at 6 p.m. to answer questions regarding the application of the new regulations. Aleksandar Zafirović, a representative of the protesting citizens, read out the group's demands, emphasizing the need for a fair and feasible solution for owners of electric bicycles.

"We purchased the vehicles legally and in good faith, with declarations that they were electric bicycles. At the time of purchase, registration or a driver's license was not required for these vehicles, so we rightly expected to continue using them under the same conditions. Subsequent changes in regulations have classified certain electric bicycle models as mopeds, even though many cannot be registered due to a lack of homologation or other necessary documentation," Zafirović stated.

The citizens argue that these new rules unfairly burden them, as they are now unable to legally use vehicles purchased in good faith under previous laws. They contend that it is unjust to impose new obligations on citizens due to regulatory changes they could not have anticipated, especially when registration is impossible for many of these vehicles.

Their demands include allowing electric bicycles purchased before the new regulations to be used without registration or a driver's license, or to be treated similarly to electric scooters. If this is not feasible, they seek a clear and achievable registration process. Zafirović stressed that their goal is not to evade the law but to find a just resolution that balances traffic safety with the rights of citizens who acted legally.