Individuals and companies in Romania can submit their applications for the Cash-for-Bangers (Rabla) program until December 20, after the Environment Fund Administration (AFM) announced yesterday the extension of the deadline.

The Rabla program for individuals was launched on June 14 this year. The program aims to renew the national car fleet and boost the acquisition of electric and hybrid cars and finance the creation of a network for charging stations via the Rabla Plus version of the program.

The initial budget for this year amounted to RON 220 million (EUR 49 million), EUR 16.6 million of which was allocated for the Rabla Plus program. The bulk of the money, however, is distributed via vouchers to the people who scrap their old cars to buy new ones. The nominal value of a voucher is RON 6.500 (EUR 1,440).

The demand for vouchers has been high this year and the program has received additional funds. The Environment Minister issued some 4,000 extra electronic vouchers in mid-July, some 2,000 new vouchers in October, and over 3,500 vouchers in November. These additions took the total value of the program to over EUR 62 million.

editor@romania-insider.com