The electric vehicle market in Latvia is gradually gaining momentum. Although the transition to electric transport is slower compared to most EU countries, the demand for such cars has noticeably increased in recent months, writes Diena. According to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), as of July 1, there were 16,300 fully electric passenger cars registered in Latvia. This accounts for about 2% of the total passenger car fleet. Another approximately 1% consists of plug-in hybrids that operate on both electricity and gasoline or diesel. According to Eurostat, the share of electric vehicles among new registrations in Latvia has even slightly decreased in recent years. Nevertheless, in the long term, the market continues to grow, albeit at a significantly slower pace than the EU average. For comparison, Norway remains the absolute leader in Europe, where 95% of all new passenger cars are electric. Denmark ranks second with a figure of 68%. As noted by Edgar Sturcs, the sales manager at Amserv Motors, interest in electric vehicles in Latvia has significantly increased; however, buyers still approach their choices very pragmatically. According to him, potential owners evaluate not only the cost of the car and the size of government support but also how suitable the electric vehicle will be for everyday trips. One of the main incentives remains financial assistance from the government. Currently, depending on the category of the buyer and the model of the car, one can receive between 3,000 and 9,000 euros. According to Maris Siklis, head of the electric mobility department at Ignitis On, the current support program allows for the financing of approximately 8,000 electric vehicles. If this potential is fully realized, the number of electric cars in the country could increase by about half. The effect of the new program is already noticeable. In June, 744 new electric vehicles were registered in Latvia, and in July, 881, which became a record monthly figure. However, experts believe that subsidies alone are not enough. According to Edgar Sturcs, for further growth, a long-term and predictable support policy is necessary, especially for companies that regularly update their fleets. Another obstacle remains the infrastructure. Although the network of charging stations continues to expand, buyers still complain about instances where certain stations are out of order. Concerns about the ability to charge the vehicle during a trip remain one of the most common arguments against purchasing an electric vehicle.
