Future Perfect

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nergy

access

efficiency

and

sustainability

Another focus of our efforts is to guarantee the

sustainability and predictability of policy in support

of innovations. At present, we are trying to establish a

mechanism for setting up and implementing the state

policy in this sphere, with the main accent on defining

the responsibilities and obligations of the participants

in the innovation system. As a result, we expect to see

promotion of private investment in innovation as well

as improvement of the connection between science/

education and enterprises/entrepreneurs. Innovation

in new products and services relevant to electromo-

bility will be one of the priorities in the forthcoming

policy in this sphere.

At the same time, the higher price point of electric

vehicles at this stage leads us to conclude that the

successful introduction and development of the sector

will not be possible without achieving a good balance

between measures for promoting the production of such

vehicles and those promoting demand for them. As a

result of detailed analysis and dialogue with interested

parties, measures have been formulated to promote

both demand for and consumption of ecological vehi-

cles. Among the variety of measures to be accomplished

this year, including stimuli for the encouragement of

consumption, the most important are:

• Changes to the taxation system of vehicles through

introduction of an ‘eco’ component in the tax basis

to determine the size of the annual duty on vehicles.

The amount of annual tax will increase proportion-

ally according to the volume of emissions in respect

of damage caused to the environment

• Introduction of a preferential channel for initial

registration of ‘eco’ vehicles

• Introduction of differential fees for use of the road

infrastructure

• Measures to ensure a single time subsidy or bonus

for physical and legal persons when buying new

electrical and hybrid vehicles

• Free parking for electric motor cars in the central

zones of towns and villages.

In addition to these measures, others have also been

envisaged to accelerate the charging infrastruc-

ture, promote research and development activity in

technologies for sustainable mobility, enhance the

knowledge and capacity of interested parties and the

general population, and encourage entrepreneurship

and professional training and education.

Changes have been introduced in the field of

public expenditure on new vehicles to create favour-

able conditions for selling clean and energy-efficient

vehicles. When buying vehicles for public admin-

istration purposes, purchasers are now required to

consider their energy efficiency and their impact on

the environment throughout the whole exploitation

period of the vehicles in respect of carbon dioxide

emissions and other air pollutants. As a result, we

expect that public procurement for buying new vehi-

cles and other products will contribute to promoting

The electric motor car is also a factor in implementing our

national target for renewable energy sources, namely to increase the

share of renewable sources in total energy consumption to 16 per

cent by 2020, and to 10 per cent in transport. As part of the devel-

opment of ‘smart networks’, these sources will play a substantial

role in the energy system. Through the introduction of low-carbon

and energy-saving technologies we will secure the sustainable

future development of transport. Dependency on oils and fuels

will decrease, leading to a reduction in pollution emissions and the

achievement of new climate targets.

Bulgaria is in need of urgent renewal of its automobile park, which

is currently in an unsatisfactory condition. The old park leads to

considerable pollution of the environment, resulting in risks for

human health. The development of sustainable urban mobility

(beginning with the larger cities) will improve the air quality.

Bulgaria could become a positive example for successful imple-

mentation and development of electric mobility using its existing

traditions and advantages along with favourable new opportuni-

ties. A draft national action plan promoting the production and

accelerated introduction of ecological transport vehicles (including

electromobility) in Bulgaria for 2012-2014 has emerged as a result

of dialogue and partnership with stakeholders, including ministries,

municipalities, non-governmental organizations and business.

To stimulate production, we envisage financial support for:

• Development of start-up enterprises

• Introduction of innovative products, processes and services

• Technological modernization and development of technological

centres and clusters

• Promotion of investment in high-tech production through intro-

duction of incentives for ‘class-investments’ as well as additional

incentives for priority projects.

Vice President of the EC, Antonio Tajani and Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy, Energy

and Tourism, Traycho Traykov, participate in a test drive at the Conference on

Electric Vehicles

Image: Diana Gyncheva