Eine von vielen Schnellladestationen in Dänemark. bild: Clever/pr
Vor vier Jahren waren in Dänemark erst 20 Prozent der verkauften Neuwagen Elektroautos, heute sind es über 80 Prozent. Wie ist das möglich? Und warum in der Schweiz nicht?
22.03.2026, 20:1722.03.2026, 20:17
In Norway, electric vehicle adoption has surged to 98% of new car sales, with only 20 gasoline-powered vehicles sold nationwide in February. While the European Union debates timelines for phasing out internal combustion engines, Norway has effectively ended gasoline car sales.
Denmark is experiencing a similarly rapid shift. In the first two months of 2026, electric vehicles accounted for 82.3% of new car registrations. This dramatic increase positions Denmark as a key market to watch in the transition to electric mobility, signaling a potential acceleration of EV adoption across Europe.
Private Buyers Favor EVs
The trend is even more pronounced among private buyers, with 94.4% choosing electric vehicles in February. Denmark is quickly closing the gap with Norway in terms of EV market share.
In 2025, electric vehicles already represented 68.5% of all new car registrations in Denmark. The latest data shows a continued surge in sales, with electric models dominating the monthly sales charts.
Elektroautos (BEV) dominieren in Dänemark.
Denmark Charges Ahead
As the number of electric cars on Danish roads increases, so does the demand for charging infrastructure. Currently, approximately 583,320 electric vehicles are registered in Denmark, representing roughly 20% of the total vehicle fleet. Switzerland, with a population three million larger, has only half as many electric cars.
For comparison, in 2022, both Switzerland and Denmark had around 20% of new car sales as electric vehicles. Today, Denmark has surpassed 82%, while Switzerland remains at 20%.
Entwicklung E-Auto-Anteil Dänemark und Schweiz
bild: @electric_nick_
Mads Rørvig, CEO of the Danish Automotive Industry Association, stated:
«Die Beliebtheit von Elektroautos hat sich bis 2026 so weit fortgesetzt, dass wir ein neues Niveau der Elektrifizierung des Automobilmarktes erreicht haben. Das Elektroauto hat sich von einem Nischenprodukt zu einem Fahrzeug für die breite Masse entwickelt.»
Switzerland’s automotive industry association cannot yet claim similar success. Both the government and industry failed to meet their target of having half of all new car registrations be electrified – either fully electric or plug-in hybrid – by 2025.
Statt E-Autos (23 % Marktanteil) boomen bei uns Hybrid-Autos mit Verbrennungsmotor (35 %). Teilelektrische Plug-in-Hybride kommen auf 11 Prozent.
How Denmark Accelerated EV Adoption
According to Rørvig, a tax reform is key to the success of electric vehicles. It makes purchasing a gasoline car less attractive than an electric one. For example, thanks to extensive tax exemptions, the mid-size electric SUV VW ID.4 is available in Denmark for around 40,000 euros (approximately 36,400 Swiss francs). The comparable gasoline model, the VW Tiguan, starts at 68,000 euros (approximately 62,500 Swiss francs).
In Switzerland and many other countries, gasoline models are typically cheaper.
The background is the very high registration tax in Denmark, which is payable once when purchasing a new car. It is one of the highest vehicle taxes in the world. Electric car customers benefit from high allowances and pay only a fraction of the regular registration tax. The tax reform has completely reversed the previous price advantage of combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles.
The message to consumers is clear: choosing electric vehicles is not only environmentally sound, it also pays off financially.
Faster Than the Norwegians
Norway has long been considered a special case in Europe with its high EV market share. In Denmark, electric vehicles are conquering the automotive market, albeit a few years later, with full force. Buyers are now taking advantage of the reduced registration tax, which will not remain in place forever. The Danish electric vehicle boom is driven not by environmental concerns, but by tangible financial benefits.
Entwicklung E-Auto-Anteil Norwegen und Dänemark
It took Norway around 15 years to transition to more environmentally friendly electric mobility; in Denmark, the change is likely to take place within a decade.
Sweden, Finland, and Iceland are also leading the way in electric mobility. Cold and long winters do not appear to be a valid reason against electric cars.
However, Scandinavian countries have a key advantage over Switzerland: The higher rate of homeownership makes it easier to install home charging stations. Switzerland has one of the highest rental rates internationally, and the right to charge for tenants and condominium owners was not a priority in Bern until recently. In mid-2025, the Council of States approved a motion by Jürg Grossen (GLP) requiring landlords to provide access to charging stations.
Currently, the installation of charging stations is not explicitly regulated in Swiss tenancy and condominium law. The lack of home charging options is therefore often cited as the main reason why many people do not switch to electric cars despite their interest.
