The consultation on the new funding scheme runs until 24 February, after which the government will decide on the allocation of funds. The responsible ministry said it developed the revised subsidy programme ‘in light of high public interest and the successes of the previous programme.’ Latvia first introduced EV purchase incentives in 2021 with a budget of €10 million and later increased the programme by a further €20 million.
According to the Latvian Ministry of Climate and Energy, the follow-up programme is intended to run until the end of 2029—or until the 40 million euros in funds are exhausted. The grant amounts are expected to differ slightly from those of the previous programme. The draft currently specifies 4,000 euros for the purchase of a battery-electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell electric vehicle, and 3,000 euros for a corresponding used vehicle. An existing scrappage incentive of 2,000 euros will also remain available.
Families with three or more children, as well as families with disabled children, will receive additional support. In Latvia, these families hold a so-called Honorary Family Certificate, which increases the grant amounts to between 5,000 and 9,000 euros.
“Electric vehicles strengthen the Latvian economy by reducing dependence on petrol and diesel,” emphasises Kaspars Melnis, Latvia’s Minister for Climate and Energy. “The significant public interest, particularly the active participation of large families in the existing incentive programme for the purchase of electric cars and plug-in hybrids, has formed the basis for developing the new funding programme.”
Regarding subsidies granted to date, the responsible ministry reports that the 30 million euros disbursed so far have supported around 6,400 beneficiaries, including 1,281 holders of the aforementioned Honorary Family Certificate. As a result, 34% of the electric vehicles currently registered in Latvia (as of 1 January) have received state funding, it states.
eng.lsm.lv, kem.gov.lv (in Latvian)
