Croatia E-mobility Forum

The American Chamber of Commerce and Jutarnji list organized ’Croatia E-mobility Forum’ on April 30, 2019. The event was aimed to encourage a public discussion on the challenges of the e-mobility transition and to create a joined platform for exchange of ideas on market models, regulation and policies necessary for adoption of changes ahead.

The event gathered relevant e-mobility stakeholders, including business representatives, infrastructure suppliers, regulatory bodies, heads of state institutions, representatives of the academia and consumers that engaged in a constructive discussion on e-mobility.

In the introductory speech ‘How Croatia can attract the automotive industry’ Mate Rimac, Director, Rimac automobili explained how Croatia did not manage to attract significant investments during two waves of expansion of automotive industry to the South East Europe. The third wave of investments is expected soon and if Croatia does not offer concrete measures and more competitive conditions for doing business it might again miss out on attracting the automotive industry.

The first panel discussion called ‘Electric shock’ gathered Dubravko Ponoš, Director, Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Zvonimir Marinović, Assistant Director, Customs Administration, Branko Kondić, Executive Director, LMG Autokuća and Robert Gogić, Head of Homologation and Environment Protection, Porsche Croatia.

Mr. Ponoš highlighted that continuity is the key for the stability of the e-mobility market and announced that the subsidies for e-mobility will be available in Croatia even after 2020. Also, call for subsidies for infrastructure (charging stations) will be opened on May 8, including a call for purchasing e-vehacles for businesses on May 23. 

Mr. Kondić welcomed the principle of continuity for subsidies but organized in a way that ensures a continuity throughout a year. Currently, subsidies for e-mobility are allocated within one day followed by a market halt.

Mr. Gogić added that planning orders for vehicles, especially e-vehicles is a lengthy process. For that reason, yearlong subsidies need to be ensured for a stability of e-mobility market in Croatia. This would significantly increase the VAT collection if vehicles were purchased in Croatia compared to vehicles imported from other EU Member States.

The title of the second panel discussion was ‘Electric Circuit’ and participant included Ivo Milatić, State Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Tomislav Mihotić, State Secretary, Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Richard Ferrer, Head of Innovation team, Innovation and Networks Executive Agency, European Commission, Dino Novosel, Head of E-mobility, Hrvatski Telekom and Domagoj Puzak, E-mobility Manager, Hrvatska elektroprivreda.

The focus of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy is on the construction of charging stations on highways and main roads to enable proper e-mobility infrastructure in Croatia, this is complementary to the development of one of the most important economic sectors, tourism, said State Secretary Milatić.

Hrvatski Telekom (HT) had a successful pilot project of developing a network of charging stations in Criatia. Nowadays, HT is preparing to assist other countries at the level of Deutsche Telekom group in establishing teams for e-mobility that will develop the charging stations infrastructure in other European countries. This should enable access to the international network of charging stations, explained Mr. Novosel.

So far, Croatia has mainly invested in the development of e-mobility of road transport, but it is also considering investments in electrification of other types of transport. Vukovar and Slavonski Brod river ports should have e-charging stations for ships in 2025, said State Secretary Mihotić.

Mr. Ferrer underlined the strong commitment of the European Commission to fight climate change. Specific goals for the upcoming period will be defined by newly formed Commission in September and by defining the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027.

Both panel discussions were moderated by Marko Biočina, Jutarnji list.

The Forum gathered more than 100 representatives of the business community and state institutions.