A Comparison of Policy Measures Promoting Electric Vehicles in 20 Countries

Abstract

This chapter compares and analyzes policy measures that governments have implemented in 20 countries, on five continents, to promote consumer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). These include subsidies for EV purchases, tax benefits, incentives for developing charging infrastructures, and traffic regulations such as free parking or the use of bus lanes. To assess the effectiveness of these measures, this study examines their influence on the market share of EVs in each country. Results indicate that the higher the level and amount of political incentives in a country, the higher the country’s proportion of EVs. This is analyzed further in case studies of the Netherlands and Brazil by evaluating the countries’ governance systems. While the Netherlands has benefited from a collaborative effort of public and private actors promoting EVs, Brazil still faces many challenges. Altogether, findings show that policy measures have a significant impact on EV adoption around the world and that stakeholders from different sectors must work together to maximize the effectiveness of these policies. Therefore, countries wishing to raise EV penetration should do so through a range of governmental incentives and a collaborative governance system.