Battery electric vehicle adoption in Denmark and Sweden: Recent changes, related factors and policy implications

Sonja Haustein, Anders Fjendbo Jensen, Elisabetta Cherchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Countries worldwide are trying to increase the share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to reach environmental goals. As part of these efforts, the EU project GREAT installed new fast chargers in Denmark and Sweden and provided possibilities to test BEVs and inform about them. To monitor changes in attitudes and behaviours and to estimate the impact of project activities, surveys with BEV and conventional car users were conducted in 2017, 2018, and 2019. We found that attitudes and driving behaviour of BEV users and non-users remained quite stable. While car users in Denmark and Sweden showed similar profiles, one exception was a more negative evaluation of and higher uncertainty about political support for BEVs by Danes. Modelling purchase intention, we found a significant effect of the new fast chargers in Denmark but not in Sweden, while the opposite was the case for information campaigns. Lifestyle compatibility and symbolic-affective attitudes were relevant for BEV adoption in both countries. For cross-border trips, the most relevant factor was whether people had a Tesla or not, reflecting the better driving range and fast charging infrastructure. An increase of charging infrastructure, clearer policy signals and symbolic-affective marketing are discussed as ways to increase BEV adoption.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number112096
JournalEnergy Policy
Volume149
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Attitudes
  • Awareness campaigns
  • Electric vehicles
  • Policy intervention
  • Technology adoption

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Energy
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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