The F5A report titled “Second-hand EV” highlights that Poland possesses one of the largest and oldest vehicle fleets in the European Union. There are approximately 18.6 million cars and vans on Polish roads, ranking the country 5th in Europe in this regard. However, these vehicles are predominantly old, with an average age exceeding 14.3 years, nearly 3 years higher than the EU average of 11.5 years. Second-hand vehicles constitute two-thirds of registrations in our country, and the secondary market continues to exert a significant influence on the emissions performance of Polish transport. Additionally, a considerable number of registered cars in Poland are imported.

The large and aging vehicle fleet has a negative impact on the climate and the environment. According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), emissions from the transport sector in Poland increased by 206% between 1990 and 2017, significantly higher than the EU average of 28%. Old internal combustion engines (ICEs), particularly those with diesel engines, also generate significant amounts of pollutants, especially particulate matter, contributing to smog and respiratory diseases. Additionally, noise from transportation poses a serious problem, with emission levels exceeding 60 dB on 92% of Polish roads during the day and 55 dB on 85% of routes at night.

The most effective tool for reducing emissions from road transport is the popularization of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The secondary e-mobility market in Poland is still in its early stages of development. The vast majority of BEVs purchased in Poland are new cars. In 2019, their share was 62%, increasing to 75% in 2020, and reaching as much as 84% in 2021. An obstacle to the development of the secondary e-mobility market is the high price of used EVs, which is on average three times higher than the price of used Internal Combustion Engine vehicles (ICEs).

Several European countries have addressed this barrier by implementing subsidies for the purchase of zero-emission cars. For instance, in the Netherlands, the maximum subsidy for purchasing a used BEV is EUR 2,000, in Germany, it can reach up to EUR 6,000, and in Lithuania and France (considering the bonus for simultaneously scrapping a combustion vehicle), it ranges from EUR 3,500 to EUR 6,000. However, in Poland, where purchasing power and average net salary are significantly lower than the EU average, a similar scheme has not been introduced.

The “Second-hand EV” report presents recommendations for a subsidy program that could be implemented in Poland. The reimbursement of part of the costs should cover zero-emission Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). The minimum subsidy should be no less than PLN 9,000 or PLN 13,000 (in the latter case for holders of the Big Family Card). The lowest subsidies, aimed at buyers of second-hand EVs, would be more than twice as low as those envisaged for individuals not conducting business activity, purchasing new vehicles as part of the “My EV” program (PLN 18,750 and PLN 27,000, respectively). The authors of the analysis also propose the introduction of a limit in the form of a maximum age of the subsidized car set at 4 years from the date of its first registration and a maximum mileage of 60,000 km.

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