Schemes for sustainable transport in Malta launched

Transport Minister Ian Borg announced a 3.5 million euro investment in cash grants for those investing in sustainable private transport. These schemes will be eligible to anyone who purchased an eligible means of transport since 1st January. The Minister said that these schemes are part of wider efforts by Government to encourage people to use alternative means of transport or cleaner means of energy.

The schemes announced today

focus on efficiency and lesser emissions.

a) With regards to cars, Government allocated 1.8 million euro on the purchase of cleaner vehicles, while scrapping another car which falls under other categories. More than 1,600 persons have benefited from this scheme throughout 2019.

b) The second scheme concerns electric vehicles, with a grant of 7,000 for the purchase of new electric cars and bikes.

c) Second-hand electric vehicles are also eligible for a 2,000 euro grant, while electric motor bikes are eligible for a 25% refund. People purchasing pedelecs or scooters can benefit between up to 400 euro.

Private businesses are also eligible for support, within the parameters of state aid legislation. A 100,000 euro allocation has been introduced again to support conversion of vehicles to be accessible for persons with a disability.

Ian Borg said that these initiatives will enhance Government’s efforts to achieve its sustainability targets. Borg insisted that public transport remained an important pillar in our country’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of the environment.

He said that public transport is currently taking around 50,000 persons to their destination, around one third of the normal figures.

Applications for these grants are already open, and interested persons can contact their preferred car dealer or Transport Malta.