Abstract:

This study investigates incentives for EVs, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in the five largest EV markets in Europe. The comparison of EV incentives of five European countries and 10 cities/regions shows that well-designed policies are needed to ensure the market uptake of electric vehicles. Incentive levels, particularly financial incentives, were found to vary widely among the countries and cities in the comparison. The level of financial incentives and density of charging infrastructure generally predict EV market shares quite well. Substantial fiscal incentives are the most important driver of EV uptake. Fiscal incentives alone are not sufficient to ensure uptake. Promotion activities are needed to create consumer awareness. Availability of charging infrastructure is another prerequisite for electric mobility, as it helps overcome range anxiety. Information on incentives and electric mobility should be transparent and easily accessible, as consumer awareness is a prerequisite for electric mobility.