ELECTROBILIZATION IN WESTERN EUROPE: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES DEPENDING ON THE INCENTIVE POLICIES OF DIFERENT COUNTRIES

Abstract

Introduction. This article is part of a study of the trend of unconditional change in the automotive industry and part of the electric power industry, which is currently taking place and will transform the world economy in the future. It concerns the transition of the market of cars with internal combustion engines to cars with electric motors and battery power systems (BEVs). The article examines the reasons for the transition of the global and European automotive industry to electric vehicles, the dynamics of this process in recent years, as well as methods of stimulating the transition to BEVs in different European countries, including tax incentives and other means of stimulating the purchase of environmentally friendly cars. Objective. To determine the most effective methods of stimulating the electric car market to replicate the positive experience in Ukraine. Research methods. To study the effectiveness of various methods of stimulating demand for electric vehicles, the main incentives (tax breaks, reduction of certain types of fees, compensation for the purchase of BEVs and electric charging stations, cashback, etc.) in different European countries (EU and EFTA) were analyzed. These incentives were compared with the existing results of the electric vehicle market in recent years and the nearest reporting period of the year. Conclusions on the effectiveness of the incentives were drawn. Results. The analysis showed that the best rates of electric car adoption in the country were achieved by the most economically developed countries in Europe, which are located in the north or west of the continent. In addition, the market share of electric vehicles compared to traditional cars with internal combustion engines is higher where incentives have been introduced for a long time, for ten years or more. These incentives were tangible for consumers who chose cars with different drive systems. Prospects for further research. The trend of switching to environmentally friendly vehicles is inevitable for Europe and Ukraine. Based on the experience of introducing electromobilization in developed European countries, it is necessary to create our own system of incentives and benefits for the transition to electric vehicles, to determine the priority areas of the industry.