The first batch of electric cars will be made in Belarus in 2021, BelTA learned from Belarusian First Deputy Industry Minister Sergei Gunko on 24 September.

The official said: “Rather serious preparations, financial resources, and return on investment are necessary in order to start producing electric cars or set up any manufacturing enterprise. We don't see such economic effectiveness for now. However, even bearing it in mind we've set out to organize the production of 500 to 1,000 cars next year.”

In his words, there are many technical tasks and problems relating to software and the availability of sufficient car charging infrastructure. Battery drain in winter is also a problem.

BelGee Company has acquired five electric cars Geely Geometry A this year. “It is now necessary to identify all the pros and cons as well as undocumented situations that drivers may encounter in order to take them into account in the course of organizing electric car production in the future. At any rate there are preliminary agreements. We say that next year we would be ready to consider making a batch of such vehicles,” Sergei Gunko explained.

In his words, they are considering making a new generation of electric vehicles in 2020. Making an electric car that costs less than $25,000 is the idea.

Apart from that, government agencies are considering financial tools to encourage Belarusians to buy electric cars. Giving a discount is one of the ideas. “We would like owners of conventional cars, who want their cars scrapped, to get a discount certificate for buying an electric car,” he specified.

“Certainly, finance is the key tool that has to always be available for buying such innovative products. Respectively we should discuss the matter of a preferential-rate loan program, including some possible compensation at the expense of the state budget,” he added.

Sergei Gunko specified that incentives for individuals and corporations are being discussed.