The first electric car officially available for purchase in Romania as of 2011 was Mitsubishi iMiEV, followed by Citroen C-Zero, Opel Ampera, Renault Kangoo ZE and now Focus Electric.
“Focus Electric can be ordered in Romania and the price is EUR42,000 including VAT, the same as in other European countries. On the other hand, the local market has not been adapted to such vehicles, because the infrastructure is underdeveloped and more suitable for hybrid cars,” Ford Romania officials said.
More than 70 hybrid cars were sold in the first half in Romania, double as many as in the first half of 2012 and the sales were driven by launch of the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
The only electric car sold in Romania in the first half of the year was an Opel Ampera, according to the Association of Automotive Importers and Manufacturers (APIA). The car costs EUR47,500 including VAT, has a 40 to 80 kilometer range and comes with a 1.4-liter gas engine, which only serves as a generator that powers the battery to keep it charged.
The model is available from three dealers in Bucharest, Radacini Motors, DiBas and Union Motors, each of which invested several hundred thousand euros to prepare facilities to sell and service such cars.
On the other hand, Ford centers will not start investments in servicing facilities for electric cars this year, but will most likely do it next year. The carmaker plans to introduce models already available in the US such as C-Max Energi and Mondeo Hybrid in Europe in 2014. The two use hybrid propulsion systems, i.e. a 2.0-liter gas engine and an electric engine.
Three new electric car models should arrive on the local market next year, the smart fortwo Electric Drive, Renault ZOE and BMW i3, although the latter has not been officially confirmed.
Renault officials believe sales of electric cars will pick up speed this year and reach several dozen units and then go up to hundreds and even thousands of units in several years as the Romanian market recovers. Official sales data show only five cars are now roaming the streets of the country.
Renault’s marketing manager Mihai Bordeanu believes Kangoo ZE utility vehicle will sell by the dozens a year and sales will increase to hundreds of units once ZOE arrives. A number of carriers and parcel delivery companies have already inquired about Kangoo ZE and are testing it, he added.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)