Latvia has shown a strong growth in demand for electric vehicles during the first six months of this year. Comparing the number of newly purchased electric vehicles in the first half with the same period last year, the demand growth is 119%, or the total number of electric vehicles increased by 901, according to data collected by electric vehicles. Eleport car charging network about the dynamics of demand for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the Baltic States and Poland.
The data shows that the rapid growth in demand for electric vehicles in Latvia has made it the leader among the Baltic countries and Poland. Estonia is in second place, comparing the number of newly bought electric vehicles this year and last year – 79% or 644 electric vehicles. On the other hand, in third place after growth is Poland with 76% or 8495 newly purchased electric vehicles. Although the number of electric vehicles is much higher, the percentage increase is lower than in Latvia and Estonia. A similar situation can be observed in Lithuania, where the number of new electric vehicles is higher than in the other Baltic countries – 1009, but the percentage increase is 72%, which puts the neighbors in fourth place compared to other countries. Assessing the demand for electric vehicles in Europe*, on average, the percentage of newly purchased electric vehicles is more than half of that in Latvia, or 45%.
Estimating the market share of electric vehicles from the total segment of newly purchased passenger cars over the past six months, in Latvia they account for just over 9%, while in Lithuania almost 7%, in Estonia over 5% and in Poland – 3.5%.
“The rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles in Latvia can be partially explained by the coincidence of various positive circumstances. One of them is government support, which has encouraged many citizens to buy an electric car instead of a car with an internal combustion engine. It cannot be denied that the offer in different price and size categories is also incomparably wider, which ensures a fairly large market. However, these conditions are the same with other Baltic countries and Poland, so it cannot be said that Latvia has more support or opportunities. Perhaps this year is the year of the growth of electric vehicles in Latvia, because the total number of electric vehicles in almost all other countries is significantly higher, and they also occupy a higher percentage of the total passenger car segment,” explains Manager of “Eleport Latvija” Karlis Mendzins.
In terms of the level of charging infrastructure, Latvia is slightly behind its neighbors. Among the Baltic States, Lithuania has the most extensive network of charging stations – 1018 charging stations. Second place is taken by Latvia with 532 stations, followed by Estonia with 311 stations. In terms of capacity, Estonia has the most fast charging stations – 198, and the least – in Latvia – 189.
On the other hand, when assessing the availability of the charging network in the Baltic States and Poland, a different trend can be observed. Currently, the most affordable network of charging stations is in Poland with 9 electric vehicles per charging station and in Latvia with 9.6 electric vehicles per charging station, followed by Lithuania with 9.7 electric vehicles per station and Estonia with 15.6 electric vehicles. On average in Europe, there are 7.1 electric vehicles per charging station, which indicates growth opportunities in our country as well.
“New charging stations are announced almost every month, indicating that charging station networks are investing more and more resources in improving the availability of charging infrastructure in Latvia. Assessing the situation in the context of the Baltics, we can be proud of one of the best indicators at the moment, but there is also room for growth. Currently, there is a shortage of fast charging points in city centers and slow charging points in the so-called “sleeping areas”, which in the not too distant future will become especially popular places for convenient charging of electric vehicles. night. Also, one should not forget about the availability of the network in other regions of the country, because the purchase of electric vehicles will become more popular there, too,” says an expert on electric vehicles.
*Calculation based on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) on the number of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and the UK.
About Eleport:
Founded in 2016, Eleport is currently developing an electric vehicle charging network and related software in the Baltic States and Poland. With the support of the investment company Ambient Sound Investments, co-founders of Gren, Bolt, Scandium Energy and Skype, Eleport plans to invest 100 million euros over the next few years. in expanding the existing electric vehicle charging network in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Eleport is proud to be one of the largest and fastest growing companies in this field in the Baltic States and Poland and supplies electricity from renewable, EU certified sources. At the moment, 50 charging stations are available in the Eleport network in Latvia in Riga, Bergis, Jurmala, Sigulda, Salacgriva and Odzena, and more than 250 stations in the Baltic States and Poland.
“Eleport Latvia”