The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) has launched two key support programs. The funding will cover publicly accessible charging stations for heavy-duty transport and power grid infrastructure for high-capacity public charging stations.
A total of 4 billion PLN has been allocated to the programs (2 billion PLN for each). According to the program guidelines for supporting the construction of heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) charging stations, at least 80% of the budget will be allocated to infrastructure along the core TEN-T network corridors.
The development of the power grid and charging infrastructure is a critical component of the propulsion transformation in the heavy transport sector. In Poland, this is particularly important due to the transport, shipping, and logistics (TSL) sector’s 7% contribution to GDP. The implementation of support programs could significantly accelerate the sector’s development. However, proper coordination of both programs and the swift launch of the announced subsidies for electric heavy-duty vehicles in categories N2 and N3 are essential, according to the Polish Association of Alternative Fuels (PSNM).
The support programs for the construction and expansion of public charging stations for heavy-duty transport and the development of the power grid, with a total budget of 4 billion PLN, represent a significant step toward transforming the sector and strengthening Poland’s position in Europe.
“The charging infrastructure development program is competitive in nature. This means that funding will be awarded to projects with the highest scores. As a result, companies should carefully and thoroughly prepare their applications, keeping in mind that asking for an excessively high amount of support may lower the chances of receiving it,”
— Piotr Ziółkowski, Coordinator of the PSNM Logistics and Transport Committee.
The TSL sector is one of the pillars of the Polish economy, accounting for 7% of the country’s GDP, generating revenues of 457 billion PLN, and employing 6.5% of the workforce. Currently, about 170,000 companies operate in the sector, with nearly 103,000 specializing in road transport. Poland, as the leader in international heavy freight within the EU, may soon lose this position due to the slow electrification of its heavy-duty vehicle fleet. In 2024, 7,516 electric trucks were registered across the EU, but in Poland, only 105 electric trucks in category N3 (over 12 tons) were registered. This placed Poland 13th in Europe—an underwhelming result given the importance of the TSL sector to the national economy.
One of the key barriers to the eHDV sector’s growth is the slow pace of infrastructure development. Currently, there are only a few charging zones for electric trucks in Poland. According to the AFIR regulation, by the end of 2027—less than three years from now—charging zones with a capacity of at least 2,800 kW must be operational along half of the TEN-T core network. By 2030, the capacity of each zone should increase to 3,600 kW. At present, Poland has not begun fulfilling its obligations to develop infrastructure for zero-emission heavy vehicles. The current implementation level is 0%. The newly launched support programs are essential to change this situation.
Not Just Chargers – Also Power Grid Infrastructure
According to the published rules of the programs, subsidies for the construction and expansion of public HDV charging stations will support investments in DC charging stations with at least:
- Two charging points of 350 kW each for projects along the core TEN-T network,
- One charging point of at least 350 kW (e.g., at depots or intermodal terminals),
- Upgrades to existing stations to increase power output to 350 kW.
The second program, also with a 2 billion PLN budget, concerns the construction/expansion of power grid infrastructure to support high-power public charging stations. According to the documentation, the following types of projects will be eligible for funding:
- Minimum 3,600 kW for locations at motorway rest areas (MOPs) along the TEN-T core network (within 3 km),
- Minimum 1,500 kW for MOPs along the extended or comprehensive TEN-T networks (within 3 km),
- Minimum 350 kW for logistics centers, operating bases, or intermodal terminals (within 3 km).
“After a long approval process, Poland finally has two key support programs for the e-HDV sector. Due to the high investment costs—often in the hundreds of thousands of PLN—needed to launch high-capacity infrastructure, the industry hopes that funding in transit locations will cover both grid connections and charging stations. That’s why efficient coordination between the two programs and swift application processing by NFOŚiGW is crucial,”
— Aleksander Rajch, Board Member of PSNM.
Waiting for Subsidies for Electric Trucks
Infrastructure subsidies are just one of the two necessary pillars for electrifying heavy transport. The industry is still awaiting the launch of subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles in categories N2 and N3. NFOŚiGW has announced that this support program will be implemented in the second quarter of 2025.
“According to current assumptions approved by the EIB, for the purchase of eHDVs, the subsidies may amount to a maximum of:
- 30% of eligible costs for large enterprises,
- 50% for medium enterprises,
- 60% for small enterprises. The total support cannot exceed 400,000 PLN for N2 vehicles or 750,000 PLN for N3 vehicles.
In the case of leasing, the support amount cannot exceed the upfront leasing payment.
Given the still significant price gap between diesel and electric trucks—larger than that of passenger vehicles—subsidies are essential to boost demand for electric trucks. Across Europe, electrification of the heavy vehicle sector is still in its early stages. Thanks to these support programs, Poland now has a chance to partially catch up with countries that have so far been significantly ahead in terms of eHDV registrations,”
— summarizes Piotr Ziółkowski.
Source: Manager Plus
