E-car buyers in panic: subsidy money will run out in a few days

The government's subsidy program for electric vehicles in Slovenia is nearing its end, with funds set to run out within days, leaving hundreds of buyers in panic. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the public call for subsidies for electric vehicles will soon close due to the near-exhaustion of available funds. The ministry confirmed that all allocated funds from the climate fund intended for subsidizing electric vehicles have been used up. This comes at a time when the Tesla Model 3, the best-selling car in Slovenia this year, has sparked demand among hundreds of citizens who are currently in the process of ordering new vehicles but face uncertainty over whether they will receive a subsidy. The closure of the subsidy program is expected to occur once the value of submitted applications reaches the limit of available funds, 25.6 million euros for individuals and eight million euros for businesses engaged in economic activities. As of now, according to data from Borzen, which manages the application process, there have been 3,105 applications from individuals totaling 19.58 million euros in subsidies and 1,125 applications from business entities totaling 6.39 million euros in subsidies. Officials at Borzen told the STA that based on the current rate of submissions, funds are likely to be exhausted by mid-August. In previous years, funding for electric vehicle subsidies came not only from national climate fund resources but also from European Union funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which concluded in May 2026. Between 2024 and 2026, 43.9 million euros were allocated for electric vehicles under this plan. The ministry noted that European funds represented a large portion of public money for these subsidies, and their absence in the future will require reliance solely on national sources, which are limited. This necessitates careful planning and efficient use of public funds. Further financing of subsidies for electric vehicles depends on the adoption of a new decision regarding the use of funds from the Climate Fund, which the government plans to address in the autumn. If a new public call is issued, it is anticipated that the existing practice will continue, allowing electric vehicles purchased before the announcement of the public call to qualify for subsidies, provided they meet the conditions outlined in the call. Currently, the subsidy amounts for personal vehicles under the existing tender are as follows: 7,800 euros for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with a total value up to 25,000 euros. 7,200 euros for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with a total value between 25,001 and 35,000 euros. 6,500 euros for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with a total value between 35,001 and 45,000 euros. 4,500 euros for the purchase of a new electric vehicle with a total value between 45,001 and 65,000 euros. 3,000 euros for the purchase of a used electric vehicle with a total value up to 45,000 euros. 2,000 euros for the purchase of a used electric vehicle with a total value between 45,001 and 65,000 euros (including VAT). Complete information can be found on the Borzen website. Buyers awaiting subsidies have taken to social media to express their frustration. On Facebook, one user named Zlatko wrote: “It will be fun. I predicted that Vrtovec and the Government aren’t supporters of the ‘green transition,’ and everyone made me look crazy. Suddenly, there will be a huge stock of new electric cars.” Another anonymous user commented: “Only right, the green transition should be paid for by the user themselves if they want it.”