Which Countries Are Getting Rid of Diesel Vehicles the Fastest?

Various countries across the globe have been taking serious strides to ensure that diesel vehicles become outdated.

11:59 12 April 2024

As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources and cleaner forms of transportation, various countries across the globe have been taking serious strides to ensure that diesel vehicles become outdated. 

Diesel vehicles have long been known for their high emission rates, contributing to air pollution, climate change, and various health problems. Fortunately, many nations are now enacting policies to phase out these vehicles and encourage the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and other alternatives. 

EV Sales in Europe: An Overview

According to the Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) data, during the final quarter of 2022, alternative propulsion vehicles (APVs) dominated the EU car market, capturing over 53.1%. A staggering total of 1.3 million cars were registered within this category. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) accounted for over 540,000 of these cars, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for just over 400,000. 

Germany leads the EU in electric vehicle sales with 198,293 units sold. France and Sweden followed closely with 62,155 and 37,013 units respectively. This data indicates that while EV sales are rising steadily, there is still a long way to go regarding phasing out diesel and petrol vehicles. 

Leading the Transition

Norway is among the countries leading the transition to electric vehicles. The country has set a goal to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2025 and has implemented various incentives to encourage people to switch to electric cars. These incentives include tax exemptions, toll-free roads, free public charging, and reduced parking fees. As a result, Norway has the world's highest electric car market share, with over 86% of new car sales being electric.

The Netherlands is also at the forefront of the transition to electric cars. The country has set a goal to have only zero-emission new vehicles sold by 2030, and the government has implemented various measures to achieve this goal. For instance, electric car owners are exempt from road tax, and the country offers numerous incentives to make electric cars more affordable.

Another country leading the way in the transition to electric cars is Sweden. The country has set a target to have all new cars sold in Sweden to be electric by 2030, and the government has implemented various incentives to achieve this goal. These incentives include tax exemptions, free parking, lower road tolls, and other benefits for electric car owners.

Germany, the largest car market in Europe, has also taken significant steps towards a cleaner future. The government has set a goal to have at least 15 million electric cars on the roads by 2030 and is investing heavily in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure. The country offers various incentives to encourage people to switch to electric cars, such as tax exemptions and subsidies for new electric car purchases. 

Germany's reputation as a climate leader is being strengthened through these initiatives, which aim to restore public trust after the infamous Dieselgate scandal in 2015, which gave rise to billion-dollar lawsuits and thousands of diesel claims. Notably, German car giants Volkswagen and BMW were implicated in the scandal. In 2018, BMW's headquarters in Munich were searched by prosecutors as they probed allegations about excessive BMW emissions.

Efforts beyond Europe: Eliminating Diesel across the Globe

Phasing out diesel engines is not just the ambit of Europe's major players. Countries around the globe are making moves to reduce their reliance on these engines and transition to cleaner alternatives.

China, for instance, is currently the world's largest market for EVs, and the country's government has implemented policies and incentives that have significantly boosted EV sales in the country. By the end of 2020, China had 4.5 million EVs on its roads.

India has also been exploring cleaner mobility solutions, with the country's government launching the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) program to promote EV adoption. The program offers incentives to customers who purchase EVs and incentivises the manufacturing of EV charging infrastructure.

Challenges Faced

Despite the progress made in the transition to electric cars, some challenges still need to be addressed. One challenge is the availability of charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas. To address this, the EU has launched various initiatives to increase the availability of charging stations, such as the Connecting Europe Facility. Another challenge is the cost of electric cars. While the cost of electric vehicles has decreased in recent years, they are still more expensive than traditional cars. Many countries offer incentives such as tax exemptions, rebates, and subsidies to make electric cars more affordable.

Conclusion

The shift away from diesel vehicles is imperative in the fight against climate change, and it seems that many countries are taking this issue seriously. Through policies, incentives, and education, nations worldwide push for cleaner and more sustainable transportation. While many hurdles remain, including limited charging infrastructure and higher upfront costs for EVs, the world is headed in the right direction.