increase in new cars with 8,282 M1 and N1 category new cars registered in the first quarter including four new Tesla cars; there are a total of 50 Teslas in Bulgaria.
Vans and Minivans (categories M2 and M3)
M2 category includes all vehicles with more than 8 passengers’ seats, in addition to the driver seat, with laden mass not exceeding 5 tons. M3 category has the same characteristics, but having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tons. M3 might include busses, but also mid-busses and vans.
Last data from Bulgarian Traffic Police Department shows that 454 vehicles category M2 were registered for 2017– 137 new and 317 used. There is a decrease in new vehicle sells – in comparison in 2016, registered new M2 were 175. Leading brand for new M2 vehicles is Ford (46), followed by Peugeot (41) and Volkswagen (23). German Mercedes-Benz has 200 used M2 vehicles, followed by Volkswagen (47) and Ford (22).
e-Cars
Bulgaria’s e-car market constitutes the smallest part of automotive sector, but there is significant increase in the past year. In 2015, only 444 electric vehicles were registered of which 170 were automobiles. However, in 2017, the number of electric vehicles grows twice – 805 were registered, 215 of which were passenger cars. Last data from 2018 shows that 1260 e-Vehicles were registered in May 2018, 495 M1 category. Electronic Vehicles Industrial Cluster (EMIC) notes that electronic vehicles must begin in the business sector, the government sector and then - Bulgarian citizens will see the benefit of e-Cars. (Sources: www.emic-bg.org; Bulgarian Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Interior).
The e-cars offered in Bulgaria are Renault Twizy, Citroen C-zero, Volkswagen e-up!, Volkswagen e-load up!, Renault Zoe, Hyundai Ioniq, Renault Kangoo Z.E., Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen w-Golf, KIA Soul EV, BMW i3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Jaguar I-Pace. The price range varies from USD 15,700 to USD 81,468. Owners of e-cars do not pay taxes for the car, as well as product charge. The so-called eco tax is paid only one time, when the car is bought.
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For More Information about exporting to Bulgaria contact:
Peter Delin
Commercial Specialist - Global Auto & Smart Mobility Team
U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria
+359 2 939 5784
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