The rise of green vehicles in Moldova
Interest in sustainable transport is on the rise among Moldovans. Over the first half of the year, 15,000 electric and hybrid vehicles were registered—an increase of several hundred percent compared to the same period last year.
Drivers say they're choosing these vehicles to at least partially offset their fuel costs, or even eliminate them entirely.
During the first six months of this year, 1,882 fully electric vehicles were registered in the Republic of Moldova, nearly four times more than in the same period last year. Hybrid cars also saw a significant increase, with 13,500 of them registered in the first half of the year.
One of the drivers who recently chose an electric car is Alexandr.
"It's much more powerful than a regular car and more fun, but you have to constantly pay attention to the battery level. It's not like with a gas car, where you just go to a station and refuel when you run out. With an electric car, you have to plan where you're going, how long you'll be there, if there are charging stations on your route, and when you'll need to charge the battery. There are more details to consider," he says.
Electric cars are no longer a rare sight on the streets of Chișinău. Auto experts have an explanation for this trend.
"Thanks to engineering advancements, electric cars are no longer as stressful as they were 10 years ago, when they had limited range. Even used models now offer much greater range, and battery charging and cooling systems are far more reliable. All these improvements boost user confidence in these vehicles," says expert Ilie Toma.
Hybrid vehicles, which combine an internal combustion engine with an electric one, are also gaining more ground.
"The best option is a car that's half electric, half gas. For the Republic of Moldova, this is an excellent choice, as it's practical for both city driving and longer trips."
"These cars use less fuel in the city compared to regular ones, and while consumption is higher on the highway, I find the reduced noise to be an advantage over other vehicles. They also pollute less and allow access to all European cities."
Authorities have set a goal for fully electric vehicles to make up 15% of all registered vehicles in Moldova by 2030. Currently, that figure stands at 6%.
"The national mobility strategy up to 2030 has been approved, and in parallel, there is an Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. This plan aims to increase energy efficiency and accelerate the country's decarbonization to reduce CO₂ emissions," states Irina Țerigradean, head of the CNED directorate.
According to a recent study by the International Council on Clean Transportation, an electric car in use generates, on average, only 63 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, whereas a gasoline-powered vehicle emits about 235 grams for the same distance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
