As part of its efforts to promote an ecological and sustainable transition in business, the National Development Bank (Národní rozvojová banka – NRB) recently launched a grant programme. The call aims to facilitate the acquisition of electric vehicles and the construction of charging stations for companies. The acceptance of applications is open from 18 March 2024 until 30 September of the following year or until the estimated budget of CZK 1.65 billion is exhausted.
Object of the call
The Elektromobility guarantee programme, financed with funds from the National Recovery Plan, is aimed at a broad spectrum of entrepreneurs and companies of various sizes and sectors, including manufacturing, service, and financial activities; excluding companies owned by local authorities. The call supports the purchase of new zero-emission vehicles (both battery electric and hydrogen) belonging to category M1 (passenger transport) and N1 and N2 up to 4.25 tonnes (for goods transport), as well as non-public charging stations for the exclusive use of the applicant. In addition, the vehicle must be new and delivered within 6 months from the date of first entry into service and with less than 6,000 km. For the project to be eligible, it must comply with national and European environmental regulations and be implemented in the Czech Republic.
The application must include:
– an application form;
– the project annex;
– a copy of the loan agreement of the NRB’s bank guarantee as security for the application and the guarantee deed as a condition for disbursement of the loan.
The final date for completion of the project is 31 December 2025, unless otherwise agreed.
Eligibility of expenditure
In order to benefit from the subsidy, companies must purchase cars through financing provided by leasing companies or commercial banks, including ČSOB Leasing, Raiffeisen – Leasing and UniCredit Leasing CZ.
Eligible costs must comply with the eligibility principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, be directly linked to the implementation of the project in accordance with the objectives of the call for proposals and, unless otherwise specified, must be documented in clear and detailed accounting documents. All amounts used to calculate the aid must be gross of any tax deductions or other charges.
Guaranteed loan
The support is provided in the form of a portfolio bank guarantee together with a financial contribution. The programme stipulates that the minimum amount must be CZK 300,000 and may not exceed the amount of the guaranteed loan. The guarantee is granted only for loans from cooperating partners that have entered into an agreement with the NRB under the terms and conditions of the Electromobility Guarantee programme. It can be granted for up to 70% of the principal of the guaranteed loan for a maximum of 5 years, without fees for the beneficiary.
The amount of the loan differs from:
• Type of vehicle:
– category M1: maximum CZK 1.5 million;
– category N1: maximum CZK 2 million;
– category N2 and FCEV (fuel cell vehicles): maximum CZK 2.5 million;
• Type of charging station:
– AC: maximum CZK 100 thousand;
– DC up to 40 kW: maximum CZK 250 thousand;
– DC over 40 kW: maximum CZK 400 thousand.
The interest rate is determined by the parties and its duration is at least 12 months.
Together with this guarantee, the beneficiary may be granted a financial contribution per vehicle or charging station, i.e:
– M1 category: maximum contribution of CZK 200 thousand/vehicle;
– N1 category: maximum contribution of CZK 250 thousand/vehicle;
– N2 and FCEV category: maximum contribution of CZK 300 thousand/vehicle;
– AC station: maximum contribution of CZK 50 thousand/station;
– DC station up to 40 kW: maximum contribution of CZK 100 thousand/station;
– DC station over 40 kW: maximum contribution of CZK 150 thousand/station.
The financial support will be paid directly into the beneficiary’s account after the registration of the vehicles and submission of the purchase contract.
Duties and sanctions
Beneficiaries must allow access to the project sites to the staff of the NCB, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance and the authorities of the European Commission or other bodies designated by them. Furthermore, they may not sell the assisted vehicle or station for 24 months from the date of payment of the financial contribution.
In the event of providing false information or information that does not comply with the terms and conditions, the beneficiary shall pay a contractual penalty of 5% of the guarantee amount. The NRB has the possibility to impose further penalties in the event of non-compliance.
In conclusion, this programme represents a step forward in promoting the ecological transition in the corporate landscape, offering companies concrete opportunities to adopt sustainable technologies and innovate their business for a greener future.
Sources: www.nrb.cz https://www.camic.cz/
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