Internal project "Subsidies for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles" - SPARK

The use of electric and hybrid cars tends towards zero emissions, making them cleaner and better for the environment. However, in countries with intensive electricity production from coal, such as the case of Serbia, the advantages of electric vehicles are less compared to those that produce electricity from renewable sources. However, for the country to realize its full potential for reducing harmful gas emissions, progress is needed in the decarbonization of electricity production, the integration of electric vehicles into power systems, the construction of charging infrastructure, and the sustainable production of batteries and the possibility of their recycling. Since this is the future to which Serbia is striving, it is necessary to analyze this issue comprehensively through a comparative analysis of the current situation and the best practices that exist. In May 2021, the Republic of Serbia adopted a Regulation that regulates the subsidization of the purchase of new vehicles that have an exclusively electric drive, as well as vehicles that, in addition to the internal combustion engine, are also powered by an electric drive (hybrid drive). In this respect, the SPARK project will evaluate existing public policies in the domain of subsidizing the purchase of electric and hybrid cars in the Republic of Serbia, with the aim of providing information on how conditions can be improved and a greater representation of electric and hybrid cars achieved.

The general goal of the project is the evaluation of public policies of subsidizing the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Republic of Serbia.

The realization of the following specific goals will achieve the general goal of the project:

1. Analysis of the public policy of subsidizing the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles in the Republic of Serbia, with a comparative analysis of the public policies of countries that represent best practice models.
2. Conducting and analyzing a survey on information and attitudes of the population of the Republic of Serbia about electric and hybrid vehicles and subsidies for their purchase.
3. Collecting and systematizing the views and opinions of the scientific and professional public regarding subsidies for purchasing electric and hybrid vehicles.

Project team members are:

• Ph.D. Petar Mitić (team leader)
• Ph.D. Aida Hanić (team member)

The Institute of Economic Sciences funded the project as the best-rated project in the internal competition for project financing NADA22.