Rabla Auto 2025 - too small eco-tickets spark revolt in the automotive industry

The Rabla Auto 2025 program, which starts today with the validation of manufacturers, although it has a budget of 200 million lei and the main objective is to support the acquisition of approximately 15,000 new vehicles, has sparked controversy in light of the measures taken by the Government and the Environmental Fund Administration.

The strongest reaction came from the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers (APIA), which believes that the value of the eco-tickets is far too small to truly stimulate the automotive market and encourage electromobility. According to a press release issued by APIA, the public consultation process for Rabla 2025 was treated by political decision-makers only as a formal exercise, without the proposals coming from the industry being taken over.

Representatives of car manufacturers have requested an increase in the eco-ticket for electric and hydrogen vehicles to 27,500 lei and the redistribution of 70% of the budget to electric and plug-in hybrid cars. In their opinion, this level of support would have led to greater market penetration and would have given electromobility the chance to enter a real growth trajectory. The association draws attention to the fact that maintaining the eco-ticket at 18,500 lei for electric vehicles risks leading to the same scenario as in the previous year: funds remaining unspent and a stagnant market. We recall that initially the value of an eco-ticket for electric cars was 37,000 lei.

In the new program, the value of the eco-ticket is 18,500 lei for the purchase of a new pure electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, 15,000 lei for the purchase of a new plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric motorcycle, 12,000 lei for a new hybrid vehicle and 10,000 lei for the purchase of a new thermally powered vehicle (including LPG/CNG) or a motorcycle.

APIA insists on a more courageous, balanced and predictable program, which would give the industry and consumers the opportunity to plan their investments in the medium and long term, warning that the lack of firm measures undermines trust in the dialogue with the authorities.

On the other hand, the Administration of the Environmental Fund expresses its firm commitment to quickly implement the program, emphasizing that Rabla Auto 2025 is one of the most anticipated financing programs for individuals. According to the AFM, by allocating the 200 million lei, about 15,000 new cars can be brought to the market, contributing to reducing pollution and improving air quality. The President of the AFM, Florin Bănică, stated that the institution is ready to launch the program and provide real support to those who want to make the switch to cleaner and more energy-efficient transport. The Minister of the Environment, Diana Buzoianu, confirmed that the registration process remains the same and that the funds will not be able to be supplemented this year, but opened the prospect of future adjustments.