BUDAPEST, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The number of fully electric cars in Hungary surpassed 60,000 in September, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy on Monday.
Including electric trucks and buses, the total number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the country now stands close to 65,000. In September alone, 2,072 new electric vehicles were registered, marking one of the highest monthly increases this year.
The Hungarian government has allocated 60 billion forints (approximately 164 million U.S. dollars) to support the expansion of electromobility. This funding aims to provide incentives for BEV purchases and to develop Hungary's charging infrastructure, which is crucial for supporting the growing fleet of green vehicles.
According to the Ministry of Energy, over 16,000 green vehicles have been put into service in Hungary during the first three quarters of 2024. The growth in the BEV fleet over the first nine months of this year has already exceeded the total increase recorded throughout 2023.
Hungary's green vehicle fleet recorded the second-highest growth rate in Europe during the first eight months of the year, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).
Looking ahead, the government plans to further address gaps in the country's charging network. In November, a 28-billion-forint tender will open to expand rural charging infrastructure, focusing on underserved regions.
The government's continued support for electromobility is also helping to narrow the price gap between traditional combustion engine vehicles and cleaner, quieter electric alternatives.
Hungary is positioning itself as a leader in green energy production, storage, and utilization across homes, industries, and electric vehicles, the ministry concluded. (1 Hungarian forint = 0.0027 U.S. dollar) ■