What’s driving or, more accurately now that updated figures are available, was driving the Dutch EV boom was incentives. A recent study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) revealed that Holland, along with Norway, is throwing money around like Justin Bieber at a Miami strip club. Taxes and registration fees are waived, electricity is subsidized as are the stations, and parking fees, seemingly an issue in overcrowded Europe, are often waived.
The totality of the incentives is staggering. According to the ICCT, Norwegian subsidies are worth up to 11,500 euros, equivalent to 55% of the cost of a new car. Holland’s numbers are even more generous: Depending on the exact propulsion system and the carbon emissions the government deems it may save (the Netherlands subsidizes plug-in hybrids more favourably than EVs, while Norway promotes pure, battery-powered electric vehicles), going electric in Holland could save you as much as 75% of the purchase price of a Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid.
…until it runs out.
As of Jan. 1, the government has reduced its corporate welfare program, and sales of anything that requires an electrical umbilical cord have plummeted. EV and PHEV sales in December were 9,309; in January they were 404. Sales of best-selling models were particularly hard hit; Mitsubishi’s hybrid Outlander dropped to 83 in January compared with 4,988 just the month before.
h/t Kevin B
All the environmentalism you can buy with other people’s money.
Reminds me of an incident from last week. Was driving through North Carolina and spotted a car in the breakdown lane. It was a Prius replete with a bumper sticker that said-Proud To Be A Democrat.
Is the whole world becoming a bunch of takers? As the Iron Lady said…socialism is great,until you run out of other people’s money.
I read a long time ago at junkscience.com that Holland has the highest electricity rates in Europe and the most wind power and France has the lowest electricity rates in Europe and the most nuclear power. I’m guessing that hasn’t changed in the past, say, ten years.
Since all of Holland is the size of Maryland all the incentives would be close to useless in Canada or northern States unless you live in the city. Here, sales reflect the fact these vehicles have a limited range and even more limited if you need a heater or air conditioning. After being the proud owner of a EV for 5 or 6 years the vehicle’s value goes to junk status and after 8 years or so you are driving a pile of toxic waste that will probably cost you plenty along with a hours worth of paperwork just to get the thing hauled away. Comparing EV sales in any European country to N America sales is like comparing grapes to oranges.
Batteries and cold climate don’t mix. Just like socialism and demand markets don’t mix.
Yeah well, Norway has a big problem…..
It’s oil production/revenue is dropping fast. It will be difficult to finance either it’s socialist welfare state or it’s alternative energy subsidies.
Here in Edmonton buying each would be LRT rider a car would be much more cost effective than extending the LRT system. The new NAIT extension cost 755 million and suppose to carry 13000 people every day thats 10 bucks a day for each individual user over 30 years, you can buy a Volkswagen for 6 bucks a day and have it payed off after 8 or so years.
At least until it runs out…
Maggie Thatcher famously said the problem with
socialism is that sooner or later, you run out
of other people’s money.
Each of these cars, bird shredders and solar
panels should come with large signs that read:
Financed by OPM (Other People’s Money).
Or Thanks suckers! addressed to taxpayers.
70 percent of the price of this boondoggle
was paid by taxpayers.
The primary reason that wind turbines are left to
rot when they break down is that the companies
that run them were given subsidies to build them,
but not to repair them.
There is going to be a lot more of this happening
in the future. If you violate the laws of
economics, there is a price to be paid. If you
attempt to distort the market, the market will
destroy you. The Community Redevelopment Act
was passed by Carter and expanded by Clinton.
It was the cause of the housing collapse that
propelled Obama into office.
Markets correct themselves, just like the
environment.
Norway will be another country to soon get its head out of its ass and start fracking as will the rest of Europe. Putin and Green don’t seem to mix well and desperation can spur some very logical alternatives.
Meant to add this:
http://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/files/publications/ceta-fracking-briefing.pdf