Production of electric vehicles could become an engine of the Bulgarian economy, expert Ilia Levkov said during a conference of the Bulgarian Industrial Association. It is expected that by 2025 at least 200,000 electric cars would be driven on Bulgarian roads. Experts say that converting conventional cars into electric ones will also become a hit on the market. In other EU countries half of the vehicles will be electric by that time.This is a high-value-added industry but electric cars are still expensive. People remember that mobile phones also used to be expensive, Mr. Levkov says and adds that developing this industry would have a positive impact on the Bulgarian economy. Here is more from him:
“Bulgaria could be a part of this innovative industry, as it has traditions in the automotive industry and machine construction, as well as potential and a number of qualified experts. Foreign companies also assess highly these facts. A big producer of electric buses has already announced its interest in a future partnership with Bulgaria.” The business also calls for stimuli for this industry, such as no taxes for owners of electric and hybrid vehicles. Moreover, they hope the state would pay 30% of the price of the cars in order for them to be affordable to Bulgarians. The term “electric vehicle” must also be included in the Bulgarian legislation. This is expected to happen by the end of the year. Experts have already made an analysis of the electric industry in the country.
“In Southern Bulgaria alone there are more than 1,000 companies that produce electric components, engines, batteries, etc.” Ilia Levkov says. “That is why development of this industry will be beneficial for a number of sectors. It is important to take strategic measures together with the state, municipalities, and scientists.” The Bulgarian government has already developed a national plan for abolishing a number of taxes in order to promote electric vehicles. Citizens of Sofia, owning electric vehicles will not pay for parking downtown in the future. Bulgaria has traditions in producing electric platform trucks since the times of socialism. Production has decreased by 50% since then but production facilities still exist. Actually the first Bulgarian attempt to construct an electric car dates back to 1952. These days the Technical University of Sofia has award-winning prototypes of electric cars. 8 charging stations for electric cars have already been installed in Sofia, too.
English version: Alexander Markov
