Denmark sees 450,000 fossil cars disappear as electric vehicles surge

Since August 2020 Denmark has removed roughly 450,000 fossil‑fuel cars from its roads, with diesel registrations falling by about 240,000 and petrol cars by 207,000. In the same period electric cars grew by 198,000 in a single year, lifting the EV fleet to nearly match diesel numbers.

The government has raised its 2030 forecast, expecting pure‑electric cars to account for 84 % of new‑car sales by 2025 and 94 % by 2030, with a total of about 1.5 million EVs on Danish roads. The rapid shift is reshaping the automotive value chain, reducing demand for oil changes, spare parts and fuel station revenue, and pressuring used‑car prices, especially for diesel models.

Separately, used‑electric‑vehicle prices have risen sharply after years of decline, driven by stronger demand and limited supply. Many used EVs sold in Denmark are imported from Germany, so higher German prices are passing through to Danish dealers. The trend offers owners potential resale value but also raises purchase costs for consumers seeking affordable second‑hand EVs.