Electric vehicle law and policy: a comparative analysis

Abstract

Law and policy initiatives to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles are examined in an international context. The efforts of several jurisdictions to overcome barriers to a more rapid uptake of electric vehicles are examined: Norway, California, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and France. Price support is found to be essential as long as electric vehicles are more expensive than internal combustion vehicles. However the impact of fuel efficiency standards is greater than is sometimes appreciated, especially if reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security are key benefits in electric vehicles. Other measures are also examined. It is concluded that electric vehicle policy may diverge at key points from transport policy and from climate change policy. Care is needed to design laws and measures that will be effective from those different policy points of view, and that will promote social equity at the same time.