OREANDA-NEWS. July 14, 2011. Car owners, be they individuals or businesses, can receive subsidies of up to 50 percent on their purchase of a new electric car, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced.

Financed by the sale of carbon dioxide credits to Mitsubishi, the offer is part of the government's development strategy to boost renewable energy use to 10 percent of the nation's fuel consumption by 2020. The sale also allowed the state to purchase 507 electric cars, which will be reserved for social workers. A nationwide network of charging centers is planned.

The subsidy, which is capped at 18,000 euros and includes an additional 1,000 euros for the battery charger and installation, will be provided to the first 500 buyers.