No more free parking lots and bus lanes for electricians? The government has made a key decision

No more free parking and bus lanes for electrical car owners are coming in large steps. Key privileges, which for many drivers were a decisive argument erstwhile purchasing a zero-emission vehicle, are to expire January 1, 2026. This date evokes large emotions among over 126 1000 Poles who already usage these facilities today. A imagination of returning to crowded city centers and paying for each halt spends their sleep out of their eyes. However, the government does not stay passive at manufacture and drivers themselves. In consequence to increasing concern, the Ministry of Climate and the Environment reported concrete legislative steps. There is already a task on the table, which is to save not only the current reliefs, but to extend them for further years, giving breath to both current and future owners of "electricians". The decision in this case may affect the further pace of improvement of electromobility in Poland.

Key privileges at stake. What precisely will change?

Facilities for electrical vehicle drivers were amended in 2018 Traffic Law, as part of a broader strategy to advance electromobility. The most crucial of these are 2 records that actually affect the regular operation of the car in urban conditions. Article 148a, which exempts electrical vehicles from halt charges in paid parking zones, and Article 13, paragraph 3, point 1, which allows them to travel on bus lanes, or bus lanes. These solutions were temporary and were introduced with a circumstantial expiry date – by the end of 2025.

As experts emphasize, these privileges are not just a cosmetic addition. EV Klub Polska, the largest organisation of electrical car users in the country, has conducted studies which clearly show that the anticipation of utilizing bus lanes and free parking are 1 of the main drivers for purchasing. “The privilege according to the investigation conducted by the Foundation is 1 of the key drivers for the acquisition of a zero-emission vehicle,” says the organisation’s position. For many drivers, saving time by avoiding traffic jams and car parks was a real compensation for the higher price of buying an electrical vehicle.

The marketplace for electrical cars in Poland is growing. Data doesn't lie.

The arguments for maintaining the relief are all the stronger, as the marketplace for zero-emission vehicles in Poland is increasing rapidly. According to the data of the SAMAR Automotive marketplace investigation Institute, at the end of June this year the Polish roads were already driving 126 768 full electrical cars (BEV). This means an yearly increase of 35 143 vehicles, or 38.4%. Passenger cars have the largest share of this number, which only in the first half of 2024 arrived over 17,000.

This increase is driven not only by increasing environmental awareness, but besides by support schemes specified as My Electrician. Data from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management show evidence interest. In July alone 2497 applications for aidWhich is the best consequence this year. Importantly, the share of applications from lower incomes is expanding and more than 390 applicants benefited from an additional scrapping premium for an old combustion vehicle. It is simply a signal that electromobility ceases to be a domain exclusively of the wealthiest and becomes available to a wider group of Poles.

The government responds to appeals. There is simply a preliminary decision to extend the relief

In the face of the impending expiry of privileges and dynamic marketplace development, manufacture organizations, headed by EV Klub Polska, strengthened their lobbying activities. "In the first half of 2024 the share of electrical cars in the sale of fresh cars was 5%. However, this is inactive well below the EU average, which is 15.6%," said Łukasz Lewandowski, CEO of EV Klub Polska, stressing that the abolition of the relief could slow down this affirmative trend.

Fortunately, these appeals have hit susceptible ground. The Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Henning-Kloska, confirmed that the government sees the problem. As she said, The Permanent Committee of the Council of Ministers has already dealt with this matter. As a result, on July 24, a draft law amending the Road Traffic Law appeared on the list of legislative works of the government. The most crucial information for drivers is that the government initially accepted the request for a prolongation. As proposed, current privileges for electrical cars are to stay extended until the end of 2027That's 2 more years.

What about electromobility in Poland? fresh plans and resources from KPO

Extending the usage of bus lanes and free parking is not the only good news for supporters of electromobility. The government plans further green solutions to be financed from the National Recovery Plan (NRP). This money, which Poland has to usage by the end of June 2026, is intended to fund a subsidy scheme, this time aimed at electrical vehicles in the category busses and tiny vans.

This is simply a strategical decision that can importantly accelerate the electrification of urban transport, reducing sound and exhaust emissions in the service and logistics sectors. Not only companies, but besides local governments or public institutions, specified as schools or hospitals, will benefit from the fresh program. This means that shortly more electrical school buses, municipal vehicles or cars utilized by local companies may appear on our streets. These measures, combined with the extension of key incentives for individual drivers, make a coherent image of the strategy aimed at keeping Poland on the green road of transport transformation.