In 2024, approximately 17 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold globally, representing a 25% increase compared to the previous year. The majority of sales were concentrated in three regions – China (65%), Europe (17%) and the USA (9%). In 2023, around one in five vehicles sold in Europe was electric, and this year every fourth new car is expected to be electric. By the end of 2024, there were approximately 15,500 BEVs registered on Slovak roads, representing more than a 50% year-on-year increase. “This dynamic growth, however, must be viewed in the context of a low starting base. Electric vehicles still make up only a small fraction of Slovakia’s total vehicle fleet. About half of all BEV registrations are in the Bratislava region, and three quarters are linked to legal entities,” the President of the SAO pointed out. According to EUROSTAT, electric vehicles accounted for only 0.3% of all cars in Slovakia in 2023, while the Ministry of Economy had projected a 7% share with a total of 22,000 BEVs. The real development thus lags behind expectations. In comparison, countries that lead in BEV registration share report significantly higher numbers. For example, in Norway in 2023, electric vehicles made up 93% of all registrations, in Sweden 60%, and in Austria roughly one quarter.

In the conclusions of the preliminary study, national auditors further state that Slovakia is failing to meet several of its obligations to the EU. It is behind schedule with the national framework for alternative fuels, has not provided the European Commission with data on the number of BEVs and charging stations, and has not designated an organisation responsible for providing information on static and dynamic data. The milestone to build the basic TEN-T charging infrastructure by the end of 2025 is at risk and will likely not be met on time. Slovakia is also in danger of missing the deadline of June 2026 for using allocated funds for charging infrastructure from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Auditors warn that the new version of the electricity price regulation decree puts charging station operators at a disadvantage. By the end of 2024, there were 2,424 public charging points in Slovakia, 38% of which were fast chargers. On average, there are about six BEVs per charging point, which indicates that the network’s capacity is currently sufficient. The national strategy for electromobility development from 2015 and the related action plan do not reflect current technologies or legislation. “It is essential to draft a new action plan or revise the electromobility strategy to reflect the current situation and set clear targets, including the number of battery electric vehicles. Effective management also requires measurable indicators,” said the President of the SAO SR.

Since the last summary report to constitutional officials on the activities of the SAO SR, a total of 10 audits have been completed and published, covering 50 entities. Healthcare is a public policy area that affects every citizen and, after social policy, receives the second largest volume of state funding. This is why the Audit Office regularly monitors it and has conducted 17 audits focused on various areas of healthcare since 2018. The last two audits, whose conclusions were sent to the constitutional officials, focused on the reimbursement mechanisms of health insurance companies and the liabilities of healthcare facilities. The finding that the main issue in Slovak healthcare is not a lack of money but its improper allocation within the system has sparked an important public debate. The state, represented by the Minister of Health and the Prime Minister, must begin to implement fundamental systemic reforms.

Another entity under long-term scrutiny is the Agricultural Paying Agency (APA), which in the past had its accreditation suspended due to lack of transparency and corruption scandals. The most recent audit by the national external control authority showed that the agency has implemented anti-corruption measures and taken the necessary steps in this area over the past three years. However, their implementation in practice is hindered by personnel and professional limitations, weak control mechanisms, and low transparency of processes. Anti-corruption measures must be translated “from paper into practice”. Ľ. Andrassy reminds that based on the APA audit, national auditors are finalising a special anti-corruption methodology for detecting fraud and corruption, which they will also present to international partners.

Regarding state financial policy, auditors also reviewed the operations of the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL). No significant deficiencies were identified in the management, administration and handling of public debt. However, there is room for improvement in strategic planning and transparent communication. Financial issues were also the focus of an audit of judicial reform, where auditors examined the underuse of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan. “This audit also confirmed Slovakia’s long-standing problem – its inability to significantly improve the absorption of EU funds,” added the SAO President. Environmental issues are likewise a recurring focus of the auditors. Based on the latest audit, they point out that Slovakia still lacks a Climate Change Act that would clearly define obligations and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to adopt such legislation may harm Slovakia’s international reputation, especially as some Slovak MEPs voted for this commitment in the European Parliament in 2021. Auditors also examined the competences of the Slovak Environmental Inspectorate and call for a reassessment and reform of the current system. An audit of the cadastral departments of district offices revealed that they significantly failed to meet statutory deadlines for decisions on property registrations. The highest number of delayed registrations occurred in 2022, when nearly a third of submitted applications were processed after the deadline.