Denmark aiming for decarbonisation of transport

daenemark-denmark-kopenhagen-symbolbild-pixabay

The Danish government presented a new climate action plan with 38 measures, among them the previously leaked ban on the sales of all ICEs by 2030 and hybrid cars by 2035. In addition, the Danes will electrify their entire taxi and bus fleet by 2030 and are ready to spend millions.

Denmark’s so-called climate and air plan (klima- og luftudspil) is comprehensive. The electrification of transport includes the installation of charging infrastructure for example and the government agreed to invest 80 million kroner (about 10,724 million euros).

In addition willing buyers will pay no registration fees when buying an electric and hybrid car costing less than 400,000 kroner (€54,000) in 2019 and 2020. The incentive is a reversal of previous politics that had seen the then new centre-right government discontinuing subsidies, thus causing the breakdown of a fledgling market (we reported).

Since then, the Danes seem to have recalled their nation’s environmental spirit, and the new plan also confirms the target to ban sales of all gas guzzlers by 2030. By 2035 the sales stop will also include hybrid cars so that eventually, only electric cars will remain on Danish roads.

And private cars are not the only focus. Also, corporate vehicles will be taxed to their advantages when going electric. Moreover, the entire taxi and bus fleet is to switch to zero-emission vehicles by 2030.

In the capital of Copenhagen, the electrification is already underway with Arriva Danmark expecting the delivery of a fleet of electric bendy buses, for example. Moreover, the city announced to launch a fleet of all-electric harbour ferries. The city will further launch iconic water taxis in EV in Copenhagen Harbour by 2020, and Copenhagen plans to become the first CO2-neutral city in the world by 2025.

Overall, Denmark is leading the charge in Europe together with countries such as the Netherlands when phasing out ICEs for good in 2030. While the UK and France have introduced similar proposals, they aim to stop the sale of fossil-fuel powered cars no sooner than 2040. Perhaps an adjustment will be in order in light of the ongoing negotiations over CO2 reduction target on the EU level that revolve around 35 percent by 2030.

thelocal.dk, efkm.dk (Climate and Air plan, in Danish)

1 Comment

about „Denmark aiming for decarbonisation of transport“
Leeloo
10.10.2018 um 17:33
That's the same government that raised taxes on electric cars and lowered taxes on big cars. I'm pretty sure that when they talk about decarbonisation, they are talking about getting rid of vehicles using electricity from carbon (aka coal) fired powerplants, and replacing them with gas and diesel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *