Electric cars in 2025: last chance to buy cheap
The first impulse to buy an electric car for most Ukrainians is the desire to save money. Over time, another dimension opens up - a silent ride, no vibrations, the convenience of charging at home or at work, as well as a new level of technological experience. Most owners who have switched from internal combustion engines to electric traction say they don't want to go back. But the main advantage that still influences the choice is savings. You can save from $1,000 a year on fuel alone. And if you use it intensively, even more.
Another important argument is preferential customs clearance. As of 2025, Ukraine has a special regime for the import of electric vehicles. The buyer pays a minimum of taxes - only a symbolic excise tax. However, time is limited: from January 1, 2026, VAT will be refunded, and the price for customs clearance will increase by at least a fifth. So 2025 is the last chance to take advantage of the most favorable conditions.
What benefits are valid in 2025?
Currently, the import of electric cars into Ukraine is completely exempt from:
- import duty (10%);
- value added tax (VAT — 20%);
- contribution to the Pension Fund (3–5%).
The only payment is an excise tax of 1 euro for each kWh of battery capacity. For example, if the battery has a capacity of 60 kWh, the excise tax will be only 60 euros. This makes the customs clearance process as accessible as possible - much more profitable than in the case of a gasoline or diesel car of the same class.
What will change from 2026?
According to current legislation, from January 1, 2026, electric vehicles will again be subject to VAT. This automatically means an additional 20% to the customs value of the car. Import duty will continue to be waived, as will the pension levy, but the loss of VAT relief will seriously affect the final price.
Why not wait until 2026?
In addition to the formal tax refund, there are a number of other factors that already affect the price:
Hyperactive demand. With each passing month, the deadline is getting closer — more buyers are starting to act. This is driving up prices in the US and Europe. Cars imported from overseas take time: 2–3 months for delivery, plus repairs and registration. To be in time, you need to buy now.
Exchange rate fluctuations. Any changes in the exchange rate directly affect the cost of a car, because the import price is fixed in dollars or euros.
Tax changes in supplier countries. Discussions are already underway in the US and EU regarding changes to state support for electric vehicles. If benefits there are reduced, the price of exports will increase.
Examples from the market
To understand the scale of possible savings, it is worth looking at popular models:
Volkswagen e-Golf 2019 — currently costs about $13,000. In 2026 — almost $16,000.
Tesla Model 3 AWD 2018–2019 — today from $17,000. Soon — over $21,000.
Audi e-tron 2018 — now from $25,000. After the changes — can easily exceed $30,000.
The difference is $3,000–$5,000, and for some models even more. And this is just the middle segment. For premium cars, the savings can reach $10,000 or more.
How to take advantage of the benefits now?
If you are planning to buy, you need to act now. You need to not only choose a car, but also take into account the terms of logistics, repairs, certification and first registration. West Auto Hub offers full support: car selection, delivery, customs clearance, certification, registration - everything on a turnkey basis.
This allows you to avoid unnecessary costs, minimize risks, and, most importantly, meet the deadlines by 2026.
Conclusion: 2025 is the last “window of opportunity” to buy an electric car on the most favorable terms. These terms may change in just a few months. If you are considering a purchase, the time to take a decisive step is now. You can order a car from both Europe and the USA — the main thing is not to delay.
