Macroeconomic drivers of efficiency leadership in electromobility deployment: Evidence from European countries

This study examines how macroeconomic factors shape efficiency leadership in electromobility in 22 European countries between 2019 and 2022. We first applied an output-oriented DEA-BCC model to measure national efficiency levels. Then, we used a panel probit model with random effects to find the main determinants of leadership status. The results show that the rollout of electromobility in Europe during this period was moderately effective. Nine countries, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia, were identified as benchmark leaders, with Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia taking this role most often. On the other hand, Italy and Spain had the lowest efficiency in 2022. The analysis highlights key macroeconomic variables linked to leadership potential, including the expansion of renewable energy, increased highway infrastructure, higher unemployment rates, a shift toward public transport, and stronger environmental taxation. These findings can help policymakers and other actors improve national strategies for sustainable transport and speed up the move toward electromobility.