Decline of Electric Vehicle Adoption in Sweden Raises Concerns
Sweden faces a decline in electric vehicle adoption due to infrastructure issues and a lack of incentives.
Key Points
- • EVs make up only 34% of new registrations in 2025, down from previous highs.
- • Sweden has over 10 EVs per charger, surpassing EU guidelines.
- • Lack of affordable models and EV bonuses stifles market growth.
- • Only 10% of used cars in Sweden are electric, compared to 50% in Denmark.
A recent report highlights Sweden's significant decline in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the first half of 2025, revealing critical infrastructural and policy challenges. Electric cars accounted for only 34% of new registrations in Sweden, a drop that positions the country behind its Nordic neighbors, who are advancing rapidly in EV integration.
Key issues identified include a severe shortage of public charging infrastructure, as Sweden has more than 10 electric vehicles per charger, exceeding EU recommendations. Additionally, only 20% of the chargers available in Sweden are fast chargers, which is problematic for users needing quick access to charging stations. The absence of an EV bonus further complicates matters, limiting market growth, especially as Sweden lacks affordable EV models. In stark contrast, 19 EV models were available for under €30,000 across Europe in June 2025, with very few accessible in Sweden,
The situation is compounded by a weak second-hand market for EVs, where only about 10% of used cars are electric, in comparison to Denmark’s nearly 50%. Despite Sweden's robust electricity grid and the elimination of double taxation on electricity, advancements in renewable energy deployment lag behind those of other nations. The ACEA report stresses that successful countries combine infrastructure improvements, purchase incentives, and affordable vehicle availability to expedite the transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, a path that Sweden is at risk of deviating from.