EVs are about to get way more expensive in Denmark

Buying an electric vehicle in Denmark could suddenly become much more expensive in 2016, if the country's tax-exempt status for them runs out as planned. The government there taxes new cars as much as 180 percent, but EVs are still temporarily immune to the high rates. For a place that seems to heavily support zero-emissions tech with chargers and hydrogen refueling stations, the change seems potentially disruptive to the market.

Teslarati provides a perfect example of the effects of the change on Tesla. Under the current rules, a Model S with a 70-kWh battery pack costs the equivalent of around $86,000 US in Denmark. However after the exemption ends, a fully taxed example of the same model would skyrocket up to about $223,000. It doesn't take an economic genius to imagine the effect on sales of more than doubling prices overnight.

With months to go before the exemption ends, Danish EV buyers don't need to get anxious yet. There already appears to be hope for a change of heart, too. According to Teslarati, the tax minister there gave an interview where he said that he was looking into a solution to the issue.

While EVs seem to be gaining a foothold of acceptance in some European countries, Denmark doesn't have the only government considering dialing back the incentives on owning one. Despite having one of the world's largest electric vehicle markets, Norway is looking to end many of its perks by the end of the decade, as well. And Germany, well, that country hasn't yet had a strong EV incentive scheme, despite promises and pleas.