They say that knowledge is power. Perhaps we should extend that line of thinking to include electric vehicles. Knowledge about electric vehicles can help you decide whether to purchase one for yourself and help our entire nation progress toward a more sustainable future.
Electric and hybrid vehicles have the potential to greatly improve our country’s energy use, reduce carbon emissions, cut costs for drivers and get more people behind the wheel of environmentally friendly vehicles. But where are electric and hybrid vehicles most prevalent?
Norway: The Leader in Accepting EV Revolution
The key to success is government policy. Government policy and incentives for purchasers influence the speed of the transition. Electric and hybrid vehicles need to be made affordable in Norway in order to accelerate uptake. Norway has lowered taxes on them and exempted road tolls as one incentive for electric vehicles.
In Norway, the government raised taxes on traditional cars to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. The 25% VAT tax, the 20% carbon tax, and the weight and NOX taxes meant that electric vehicles were more expensive than gas-powered cars.
But prices for EVs will keep falling as mass production increases. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, which are a luxury for the wealthy (even though there is no difference in their real cost), EVs are for everyone!
Electric and hybrid vehicles are cheap in Norway. The Nissan Leaf, an unpretentious little car, is the best seller in Norway. But not so in the US, where Tesla models are a clear winner with a total of 71,000 sales (data from the first half of 2020). Chevy Bolt sold about 8,000, and Nissan Leaf sold 3,000 in the same period.
Considering the simplicity of an electric engine and its drive-train, it’s useful to remember that an internal combustion engine (ICE) is much more complex. Batteries account for about a third of the total cost of electric vehicles.
And Iceland is Pushing forward
A virtually 100% renewable energy driven country, Iceland has the capability to compete with Norway to become a major part of the smart city revolution. Elves, gnomes, and other folklore creatures may not be capable of driving electric vehicles (EVs). Still, the residents of Iceland have been doing so for decades—in a land where powers from above are the natural resources in abundant supply.
The price of low-carbon electricity in Iceland is as low as it gets—20% lower than the average price in the EU. And unlike in most other countries, gasoline prices in Iceland are sky-high, while EVs are considerably cheaper.
EV owners save a lot of money on fuel. For example, the owner of a petrol-fueled VW Golf who drives 13,000 km per year and spends nearly 1,700 euros on fuel will only have to pay about 300 euros for fuel for an electric VW e-Golf – or only about one fifth as much.
Sweden is next in Line
The year 2021 brought Sweden top 3 in the line of electric vehicles. The country is pushing forward with the industry’s best standards to create an eco-friendly environment for the residents of the country.
Sweden is no stranger to the concept of electric and hybrid vehicles. In fact, Sweden is a trailblazing country for electric vehicles (EVs). Sure, you may better know Norway for its EV success story. Still, Sweden is trailing closely behind—and will likely have to continue to do so: The Scandinavian country’s climate change bill calls for a 70% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by 2030. Passenger cars will need to be decarbonized quickly and efficiently for Sweden to meet this target. However, inconsistent incentives for EVs could slow down progress.
How has the Charging of e-cars changed?
It is unclear how much of the transportation sector will be electrified in the future if governments agree to reduce carbon emissions. As it turns out, there are differing opinions on the matter. However, there is a general sense that electric vehicles will have a greater impact on society.
This can be achieved through adequate smart metering and charging equipment, along with better rate designs for both businesses and consumers. Such innovations will make it easier for people to charge their e-cars at home.
Conclusion
Overall, the most important takeaway from our study is that electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent across the country. However, electric vehicle adoption has not yet reached at least 5% of the total number of registered vehicles in most metropolitan areas.
The results are encouraging for advocates of electric vehicle infrastructure but should serve as a reminder that the transition to electric is still ongoing. Stats can be used to inform effective policy and business decisions to help further increase sales of electric and hybrid vehicles, which in turn will lead to greater emissions reductions and fuel savings.
