Nearly one in three people across the Nordic countries think that electric cars are just for those with deep pockets — and in one country, this view is particularly strong. But opinions are mixed.
The high price of electric cars is causing more people to hesitate when considering a purchase, as highlighted in the text next to this. The cost difference between purchasing a battery-powered car and a gasoline or diesel vehicle can be substantial — often a deciding factor for many drivers.
Even though more affordable models are gradually hitting the market, the debate has heated up over who these cars are really for: your everyday driver or just the wealthy?
The question is dividing people in the Nordic region, according to the Mobility Barometer.
Nearly one in three (31 percent) agree with the statement that “electric cars are only for rich people.” However, this perspective doesn’t go unchallenged. Just over a third (34) disagree with the idea that electric cars are only for the wealthy, while 27 percent remain neutral.
Finland stands out
Looking at individual countries reveals some differences. Electric cars are most strongly viewed as “luxury vehicles” in Finland, where 41 percent share this opinion. Many Swedes agree (37). In both countries, skeptics outnumber those who disagree with the notion that electric cars are just for the rich (25 percent in Finland and 28 percent in Sweden).
Support for electric cars is highest in Norway, where they’ve been on the roads for many years and are considered accessible to almost everyone. Here, fewer than one in five, or (18 percent), believe that electric cars are only for the wealthy, while half of all Norwegians (50) reject that notion. A similar trend is seen in Denmark, where fewer people view electric cars as luxury vehicles; 42 percent disagree, compared to 23 percent who do so.
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Henrik Pettersson leads MEKO’s private label initiative Exclusive Brands with energy and precision. Since 2019, he has built clarity and structure in the assortment and pricing strategy, launched new product lines, and established premium offerings across multiple markets. His day-to-day work spans strategic leadership at headquarters and hands-on support in the business areas — always focused on delivering results together with colleagues.