QUICC! electric vehicles

Politics

The European Union promotes the usage of environmental friendly forms of transport. A large number of member states operate a system of taxation and surcharges on the usage of vehicles using fossil fuels. Most countries within the European Union operate subsidy schemes and offer tax advantages for electric vehicles.

Freedom of motion

Many European cities, e.g. London and Oslo, have introduced so-called congestion charges (a fee to be paid when travelling in inner cities). Electric cars are exempt from those fees. In nearly 50 German towns (probably 90 by the end of 2008) a PM10s sticker is mandatory. This sticker especially limits the freedom of movement of diesel vehicles. An electric car does not emit PM10s and will not experience any restrictions whatsoever towards obtaining a sticker. Besides, many towns offer certain privileges for electric cars, e.g. special - very often free - parking spaces or extra loading and unloading hours.