Headline Target: No sales of vehicles producing CO2 by 2035 (EU phase-out)

Car Manufacturing Country: No passenger car manufacturing.

Purchase Incentives for Cars: Annual circulation tax exemption and vehicle tax exemption.

Supplier Regulation Policy: EU emissions performance standard (Tightening CO2 regime)

Infrastructure Incentives: None

Bulgaria’s EV market has failed to make any major improvements in the last few years. The government was one of a number of countries which opposed the EU’s 2035 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles, arguing that the high price of EVs, combined with low incomes and a lack of public charging meant it was likely to be left behind those countries spearheading the change.

Bulgaria currently offers no cash subsidies to help with the upfront cost of purchasing a vehicle. The majority of the vehicles which enter Bulgaria are second hand, the number of EVs coming from Western Europe is expected to jump considerably in the coming years. 

It will be important that Bulgaria is able to attract these vehicles as they become available. With neighbouring countries such as Romania and Croatia having significant incentives available the country may need to rethink this strategy.