Europe has implemented various measures to stimulate Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake, contributing to a significant increase in EV sales. Some key initiatives include:
Regulatory Frameworks: The European Union has set a target of CO2 neutrality for new cars by 2035, with several brands committing to an earlier deadline of 2030. Stricter CO2 emission regulations are driving the adoption of EVs.
Incentives and Subsidies: Many European countries offer incentives, such as purchase bonuses, tax benefits, and exemptions, to encourage EV adoption. For example, France provides subsidies and zero-emission zones, while Germany offers tax benefits for corporate fleets.
Charging Infrastructure Development: The EU aims to establish 1 million public charging points by 2025 and 3 million by 2030. Countries like Norway have invested heavily in charging infrastructure, contributing to their high EV adoption rates.
Manufacturer Commitments: European automakers, such as Volvo and Volkswagen, have committed to electrifying their fleets, with some brands pledging to go fully electric by 2030.
Fiscal Measures: Governments have introduced favorable tax rates for EVs, such as lower company car benefit-in-kind taxes, to encourage adoption.
Low-Emission Zones: Cities are establishing low-emission zones, restricting access to polluting vehicles and promoting cleaner transportation options.
Some notable statistics highlighting Europe's progress includeÂ
EV Market Share: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 22.7% of new car registrations in the EU in 2023, with some countries like Norway reaching over 90% EV market share.
Growth Rate: EV sales in Europe grew by 62% in the past 12 months, with countries like Germany and France seeing double-digit growth.
Projections: EVs are expected to exceed half of Europe's new car sales by 2032, with some countries like Sweden potentially reaching over 90% EV share by 2034.
What is Australia doing? We are proposing to limit (our very limited) uptake on Electric Vehicles by implementing a road use tax if you don't burn enough fossil fuels!