Alternative Fuels Infrastructure
In accordance with European legislation, Slovenia has adopted a Market Development Strategy, which sets out the framework for establishing adequate infrastructure for alternative fuels in transport. Alternative fuels include electricity, natural gas (liquefied petroleum gas -LPG, compressed natural gas - CNG, and liquefied natural gas - LNG), biomethane, biofuels, synthetic and praffinic fuels, and hydrogen (H2). An Action Programme was drawn up on the basisis of the aforementioned strategy. To ensure the implementation of the measures set out in the Action Programme, an annual review of the measures implemented is envisaged, together with an update for the subsequent two-year period. These updates will take into account market developments and changing conditions.
The Action Programme covers measures related to vehicles, charging and refuelling infrastructure, and other measures designed to facilitate the achievement of adopted objectives.
The Action Programme focuses on the following areas:
- promoting economic development, innovation and research in the field of alternative fuels and their use,
- financial incentives and taxation measures,
- removing administrative barries,
- amending the existing legislation and preparing new laws,
- implementing demonstration projects, and
- developing national guidelines and studies.
Transport and environmental targets
| In 2020 | In 2030 | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | 27 % | 18 % |
It should be emphasised that traffic volumes have doubled on certain road sections since 2005. By 2030, freight traffic is expected to increase by between 60 and 80 percent, while passenger traffic is projected to grow by 30 percent.
To achieve these targets by 2030, in addition to the measures aimed at improving public passenger transport, Slovenia must ensure the wider uptake of alternative fuels. For example, by 2030, the target is for at least 17 percent of the passenger car fleet to consist of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids (a total of nearly 200.000 vehicles), 12 percent of light-duty vehicles to be electric (11.000 vehicles), one-third of all buses to run on compressed natural gas (1.150 buses), and almost 12 percent of heavy-duty vehicles to run on liquefied natural gas (just over 4.300 vehicles).
Measures targeting road transport, promoted as part of the sustainable transport policy, will make the greatest contribution to reducing the environmental impact of transportation. In this regard, particular emphasis is placed on the encouragement of walking and cycling in urban areas, as well as promotion of public passenger transport and improvement of its competitiveness. However, these measures alone will not be sufficient. Despite Slovenia's commitment to implement these measures, the country's dispersed settlement patterns mean that public transport will find it difficult to replace private car use in many parts of the country. To achieve its environmental targets in the transportation sector, Slovenia must therefore pursue an ambitious approach to introducing alterative fuels, ensuring that the share of mobility that will continue to rely on private vehicles places as little burden on the environment as possible. Promoting alternative forms of mobility, such as carpooling and car sharing, will also help to reduce the number of kilometers travelled and, consequently, also greenhouse gas emissions.
Alternative fuels refuelling and recharging infrastructure
The objectives set out in the Strategy and the measures adopted in the Action Programme are also being pursued by promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles.
In 2020, publicly assesible charging infrastructure for electric vehicles with a charging capacity of up to and including 22 kW was available at 474 locations, while charging infrastructure with a capacity exceeding 22 kW was available at 71 locations. These charging stations, already provide an adequate coverage along the core corridor of the European transport network and ensures a sufficiently extensive network of charging points for electric vehicles in Slovenia.
In addition, five compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling stations have been installed: two in Ljubljana and one each in Jesenice, Maribor and Celje. One liquefied natural gas refuelling station is available in Sežana. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is available at 144 refuelling stations. Currently, Slovenia has no refuelling stations for 100 percent biodiesel or hydrogen.
The vehicle fleet is developing in line with the available charging infrastructure. In 2021, the total vehicle fleet included 5.638 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 1.898 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), as well as 432 vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), 36 vehicles powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 10.161 vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In 2021, electric vehicles accounted for 0.53 percent of all registered vehicles, while vehicles running on all types of aternative fuels combined represented 1.3 percent of the total registered vehicle fleet.
Incentives for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles
In Slovenia, measures to promote the purchase of electric vehicles is include subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs). These vehicles are also exempt from the annual road tax. The motor vehicle tax on exclusively electric-powered motor vehicles (tariff codes 8703 80 and 8711 60), as well as on other motor vehicles falling under tariff codes 8703 and 8711 with zero CO2 emissions is set at 0 euros. In addition to non-refundable financial incentives, favorable loans are also available for the purchase of electric cars, motorcycles and bicycles through public calls for proposals issued by Eco Fund (the Slovenian Environmental Public Fund).
To promote the use of natural gas in transport, a measure reducing the excise duty on natural gas is in place. Under Article 92(10) the Excise Duty Act (ZTro-1), the excise duty rate on natural gas used as a motor fuel is set at 0.00 euros until 31 December 2025. The reduced excise duty rate has been in effect since 23 June 2021.
Further details on measures to promote the transition to alternative fuels in transport are provided in the adopted Action Programme and the annual Reports on the Implementation of the Action Programme.