Romania has a major opportunity to strengthen its transport system and boost long term competitiveness by moving towards low emission mobility. A new analysis by the Energy Policy Group (EPG), titled Powering Clean Mobility – Pathways for the Future of Transport in Romania, outlines how the country can align with European climate goals while improving energy security and supporting economic growth.
Clean mobility as a driver of competitiveness
The study shows that cleaner transport is not only essential for cutting emissions. It can also lower operating costs, reduce dependence on imported fuels and encourage innovation in modern technologies. These benefits help Romania shift towards a more sustainable and resilient economy.
Romania’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for 2025 to 2030 sets out clear sectoral targets for expanding renewable fuels, developing sustainable infrastructure and promoting clean mobility in line with EU objectives.
Yet despite progress in recent years, Romania still lags behind the decarbonisation path outlined in the national plan. The pace of transport electrification remains too slow, which highlights the need for stronger public policy and more effective market measures.
Key findings from the EPG analysis
EPG stresses that a balanced energy mix and the wider use of zero emission vehicles will be central to Romania’s transition. The study calls for practical solutions to improve access to clean mobility, including social leasing schemes that make electric vehicles more affordable for low income households.
After assessing global, European and national transport trends, EPG offers a set of recommendations designed to help Romania build a cleaner, more competitive mobility system:
• Create a national strategy for electric vehicle charging with fast charging options, full territorial coverage and forward looking capacity planning consistent with EU rules.
• Increase the use of renewable fuels in road and aviation transport by 2030 through better supply chains and clear certification systems.
• Speed up the adoption of zero emission vehicles with measures that support low and middle income households and encourage fleet electrification in companies.
• Build an integrated maintenance ecosystem for electric vehicles by training technicians and setting up recycling rules that ensure responsible recovery of critical materials.
• Introduce support programmes that help the Romanian automotive industry remain competitive, such as production incentives, research and development funding and preferential tax regimes for locally produced electric vehicles.
• Apply stricter efficiency standards for new internal combustion vehicles and link subsidies and taxes to real vehicle performance indicators, including fuel efficiency and carbon footprint.
A coordinated path forward
EPG concludes that Romania can accelerate its shift to a sustainable and competitive transport system by bringing together policymakers, industry and the private sector. A coordinated approach will help cut emissions, spark innovation and meet both European climate targets and domestic economic needs.
Luminița Gabriela Horga, EPG Senior Researcher
Luminita Gabriela Horga is a Senior Researcher in industrial decarbonisation within the Clean Economy Department of EPG.
Luminita has cross-sectoral experience spanning strategy consulting, private equity, venture capital, and academic research. She brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the EPG team, with a strong commitment to evidence-based work and a focus on green technologies, sustainable innovation, and policies that support industry’s transition toward a just and climate-resilient future.
Luminita holds a PhD in Biotechnology, undertaken in collaboration with industry, from the University of Manchester, UK. Before joining EPG, she worked at Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm, where she contributed to multiple industrial projects with large companies in Romania and abroad, with a focus on the CEE and GCC regions. She also gained experience in venture capital, working with climate and sustainability start-ups and developing early exposure to the evolving innovation landscape.
Contact: luminita.horga@epg-thinktank.org