Environmental programmes in Romania

The government is to expand a used car-scrapping scheme for private persons as all available vouchers have run out.

Mihai Pelin, 12.10.2016, 13:16

Romanias body responsible for environmental funds has supplemented the existing car fleet renewal scheme for private persons by a further 1,850 vouchers. The measure was taken as all the 13,000 electronic vouchers available under the scheme have run out for the first time since the scheme was launched. This year, the car-scrapping programme began in summer and has two components. The first, Car Scrap Classic provides people with a premium on buying a new car if they scrap their old car.

The second, Car Scrap Plus, is a new scheme that stimulates the purchase of a new pure-electric or hybrid electric vehicle with no requirement to scrap an old car in exchange. In the first case, the scrappage premium amounts to 1,450 euros and also entails the possibility to access two additional environmental premiums: 167 euros for the purchase of a new car whose engine generates less than 100g of carbon dioxide per km; or 334 euros for the purchase of a new vehicle with hybrid propulsion system. In the case of the second type of scheme, the Car Scrap Plus, buyers of non-polluting vehicles may receive an additional environmental premium of 1,116 euros to purchase a new hybrid electric vehicle or 4,464 euros for a new pure-electric vehicle.

Applicants may access either one of the two components of the scheme or both of them. The funds available for another environmental scheme, called the Green House, have also run out quickly in several counties within a few days of its launch this week. Under this scheme, private persons and legal entities receive a premium if they install, replace or add to their conventional heating systems elements that use green renewable energy.

This scheme has generated a lot of interest, with people forming long queues in front of their local environmental protection agencies to submit their applications. The overall budget for the Green House programme stands at 20.9 million euros, of which 13.3 million is earmarked for the population. Applications may be submitted by the 24th of October.

(Translated by C. Mateescu)