Poland's EV market shows low fire rates, tax worries, modest sales

In the first half of 2026 electric‑vehicle fires accounted for only 0.52 % of all vehicle fires in Poland. The fire rate fell to 0.168 per 1,000 registered EVs, lower than the 0.201 per 1,000 for gasoline cars. Authorities recorded 26 fully electric vehicle fires, 61 hybrid (including plug‑in) fires and two fuel‑cell hybrid fires, with 54 % of EV fire causes still unknown.

A tax advisory notes that reimbursing employees for home charging of company EVs through a flat‑rate allowance can create taxable income for the worker under Poland’s PIT law, raising compliance concerns for firms expanding electric fleets.

Sales data reveal that fully electric battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) represent only 5.8 % of new registrations in Poland during Q1 2026, well below the 14.3 % average across 66 global markets and far trailing Germany (22.8 %) and France (27.9 %). Analysts warn that many published figures inflate EV shares by including plug‑in hybrids and extended‑range electric vehicles.

Despite these challenges, plug‑in hybrids remain a significant part of Polish corporate fleets, offering short‑range zero‑emission operation and mitigating range‑anxiety, with battery ranges often exceeding 100 km and AI‑driven energy‑management systems improving efficiency. Overall, the sector is experiencing steady growth, but consumer concerns about charging and regulatory costs persist.