By the end of July this year, there were 70,579 fully electric (BEV) passenger and commercial vehicles on Polish roads, according to data from the Polish Automotive Industry Association and the Polish New Mobility Association. Although the number of cars with green plates is growing, the share of EVs in new vehicle sales is only a few percent. This is one of the weakest results in the European Union. At the same time, car manufacturers speak of one of the greatest potentials for electric vehicles.
The Polish Automotive Industry Association (PZPM) and the Polish New Mobility Association (PSNM) monitor the electric car market, constantly updating the Electromobility Counter. The data shows that from January to July 2024, the number of cars with green registration plates increased by 14,102 units. This result translates into a six percent increase compared to the same period last year.
– Poland is one of the most electric-sceptical countries in the European Union. The shares of EVs are small – often not even reaching 3 percent in new car sales. At the same time, it is a country with great potential to sell more of these cars. First and foremost, it is about making these cars more accessible, and the second issue is that the conditions for buying them should also be more stable, so they don't change regularly over time – Stanisław Dojs from Hyundai Motor Poland told the Newseria Biznes news agency.
Development of charging infrastructure
The prospects for the development of the electric car market are increasingly better. According to PZPM and PSNM data, the charging infrastructure for such vehicles is constantly developing. At the end of July 2024, in our country, there were 7,563 publicly accessible points at 4,163 stations where you can replenish energy in electric cars. Almost every third (29 percent) was a fast direct current charging point. In July alone, 308 new ones were launched. A new analysis by Powerdot Data Center shows that the average distance between the nearest charging stations in Poland is about 2 miles. With smooth driving, it takes about 5 minutes to cover it. However, there are still several white spots on the map of Poland with poorly developed charging infrastructure.
– In cities or when travelling along main road corridors in Poland, there is no problem with charging. An electric car is very versatile; often owners of single-family houses, and in Poland as many as half of the people live in single-family houses, according to statistical data, can also charge these cars at night – notes Stanisław Dojs.
Barriers to sales
So where should the greatest barriers to the sale of electric cars in Poland be seen? Industry representatives point to the changing conditions for purchasing these cars, specifically subsidies for them. Such a situation does not make the decision to buy an electric car easier and hits the market.
– People who plan to buy a car are holding off on the decision until it becomes clear whether there will be any subsidies or not – explains the PR manager of the South Korean manufacturer. – The second issue is that manufacturers began the expansion of electric cars with more advanced, more expensive and larger models, so the market primarily lacked electrified small cars, cars from the A segment. There were, admittedly, few smaller models, but they often had performance sufficient for carsharing but insufficient for comfortable travel. These were strongly budget cars, weaker, slower, with shorter ranges.
This is one of the reasons why automotive companies are looking for a golden mean, that is, a car that will be able to attract Polish consumers. Much indicates that in this case, an urban car at an attractive price is needed.
– Automotive concerns must “fill” these offer gaps, that is, offer electric cars in the formats that are most desired, therefore also in the range of cheaper cars. However, the concerns alone will not achieve anything without the government side, the state side, because beyond all car education, electric cars simply have to pay off for people – says Stanisław Dojs.
Resumption of the My Electric program
According to announcements by NFOŚiGW and the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the recruitment in the My Electric program will probably be resumed from January 2025. The previous recruitment was suspended from September 1 due to the exhaustion of funds for this purpose.
As the expert emphasizes, a favourable environment for buyers is not only subsidy programs but also stable energy prices.
– Like every company, we aim for sales growth. We would like sales of EVs to move from three-digit numbers to four-digit numbers. I hope that by closing this year, we will break the sales record for electric cars and even greater in the next – emphasizes Stanisław Dojs.
The concern is also working on another ecological drive – hydrogen. According to the expert, however, this is not a technology that will quickly appear on a wide scale on Polish roads.
– Zero-emission transport does not only mean light cars but also heavy vehicles, and all the experience we gain on the Nexo model will also pay off in the future, because we are also establishing many strategic partnerships, whether with Iveco or recently with Škoda. This is a certain direction we will hear about. Hydrogen is not a segment we will see on the streets tomorrow or the day after, but it is a technology that has a chance to realistically increase the range of cars, especially those travelling long distances – says the PR manager of Hyundai Motor Poland.
