Romanians purchased 1,183 electric and hybrid cars in 2016, the number being 138% higher than in 2015, according to data from the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA). In 2015, the number of eco cars sold stood at 496.

Almost 170 of the total eco cars purchased last year were 100% electric. The number more than tripled year-on-year, as Romanians bought only 46 electric cars in 2015.

The Government has been supporting the purchase of eco-friendly cars in recent years with bonuses granted through its program to renew the national car park, more commonly known as the Cash for Clunkers program. Last year, the Government increased the subsidies for electric car purchases.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) promised it would further increase the bonuses for Romanians who want to buy green cars, up to a value of EUR 10,000. However, the new Government hasn't come up with any initiative in this sense yet.

The share of eco cars in the total sales of new cars registered in Romania amounted to only 1% in 2016. The figure was 1.3% in December, when Romanians purchased 140 eco cars.

BMW was the most popular electric car last year, with 65 units, followed by Mercedes Benz – 37, and Volkswagen – 25. In terms of hybrid cars, the top three was made of Toyota – 820 cars, Lexus – 159, and Land Rover – 19.

The new passenger car sales went up by 17% last year, to 115,000 units, while the used passenger car sales went up by 20%, to over 300,000 units.

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Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com