KredEx Launches Campaign to Boost Interest in Electric Cars
Credit support agency KredEx has launched a 143,000 euro campaign to spark the nation's interest in electric cars. The campaign will involve outdoor advertising, promotional spots on radio and television, and banner advertisements in online media.
Currently, the interest in electric cars could be considered lukewarm, because as of August 16, KredEx, the agency tasked with distributing state subsidies to buyers of such vehicles, had received only nine applications for a grant of up to 18,000 euros.
"Grants have already been awarded to two applicants. Applications can be submitted until November 30, 2012, or until funds run out," the Energy Efficiency Project Manager at KredEx Heikki Parve told uudised.err.ee.
The incentives for buying the electric cars and the public awareness campaign will be financed using the funds obtained from the sale of carbon quotas based on the contract between the state and Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan.
Under the same contract, the state will acquire a country-wide quick charging network for battery-powered vehicles and receive 507 electric cars from Mitsubishi, which will be distributed to social workers. Private persons are expected to buy approximately the same number of cars.
Starting from July 18, KredEx is receiving grants applications from purchasers of electric cars. Both private and legal persons can apply for a state subsidy covering up to 50 percent of the price of the vehicle, but not exceeding 18,000 euros.
Sigrid Maasen