Major Developments in 2024

Passenger Vehicles
In 2024, EVs made up 51.5% of passenger car sales, setting a record for EV registrations. Over 89,000 EVs were sold, representing a 42% increase from 2023. EV sales continued to rise throughout the year, peaking in December when they accounted for 61.5% of total passenger car sales. Around 60,000 second-hand EVs were imported, making up 88% of all imports. As a result, EVs constitute 12% of the total vehicle fleet1 . The charging infrastructure for passenger EVs saw substantial growth in 2024.

DC fast chargers experienced a remarkable 90% increase in the number of outlets compared to 2023. AC charging outlets (<22 kW) also grew, with a 41% increase and over a thousand new locations added. This highlights the rising demand for high-capacity DC chargers, outpacing growth rates of slower charging options.

Heavy-Duty Transport
Electric buses have been popular for several years and continued to dominate in 2024, with a 66% share of new registrations. Electric trucks have a lower share of about 5.5% of new registrations (weight > 8 tons). While buses mainly charge at their depots, some electric trucks require DC rapid chargers on highways. Although these chargers are being rolled out, their deployment is slower, with only 8 locations currently dedicated to trucks, with 34 chargepoints.

Light-Duty Transport
The electrification of vans has progressed more slowly, with the EV share (<3.5 tons) reaching only 15%. Notably, the cargo version of the VW ID. Buzz has proven to be particularly appealing, accounting for 29% of electric van sales, significantly outpacing the Mercedes eCitan, which held a 7% share.

Regulation
In 2025, Denmark will introduce a kilometre-based road tax for freight trucks exceeding 12 tons. The rate will be determined by several factors, including the truck’s CO₂ emission classification, vehicle weight, and the regions where the vehicle operates. Higher tax rates will apply in urban areas, particularly larger cities, to account for increased congestion and impact. It aims to incentivise the transition to lower-emission heavy-duty vehicles by imposing lower rates on cleaner technologies, such as battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, while diesel trucks will face higher costs.

This aligns with Denmark’s climate goals, including reducing transport sector emissions and encouraging the adoption of sustainable freight solutions. The implementation is expected to have economic and operational implications for freight operators, potentially influencing route planning, fleet investments, and the cost of transporting goods.

Demonstration Projects

Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have investigated a new superionic material based on potassium silicate, a mineral found in common stone. Their study explores the potential of this material for use in solid-state batteries, which could offer safety and efficiency improvements over conventional lithium-ion batteries. The research focuses on the material’s properties, including its conductivity and stability, and the feasibility of using more available resources instead of lithium and cobalt.

If successfully developed, such batteries could contribute to advancements in energy storage, particularly for electric vehicles. Key challenges remain, including scaling up production and integrating the material into existing battery technologies. However, the findings provide a basis for further exploration of alternative materials in battery development, with potential long-term implications for sustainable energy solutions.

Outlook

Denmark has offered significant deductions on investments in electric vehicles (EVs), which have boosted sales in recent years. These incentives were designed to phase out gradually as EVs gained popularity. Now, as EVs have become more competitive, these initiatives are being progressively reduced. For instance, the battery tax exemption, which provided a tax deduction per kWh, will be fully phased out by 2025. Additionally, registration taxes on EVs will be reintroduced starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2035.

According to the Danish Energy and Climate Outlook, the trend towards electrification in road transport is expected to continue. Following the latest EU regulations, the share of zero-emission passenger vehicle sales is projected to reach 100% by 2035. Consequently, the current 12% EV share of the fleet will steadily increase as EVs continue to replace gasoline and diesel vehicles in Denmark.