Electric vehicle market growth in Finland

Finland is undergoing a significant transition in its automotive market, with fully electric vehicles (EVs) increasingly dominating new car registrations. In August, EV registrations accounted for 51.6 percent of all new passenger car sales, marking a historic trend where electric models surpassed gasoline cars.

By the end of August, the EV share in new registrations reached 52 percent, a figure notably higher than the EU average of 21 percent recorded during the first half of the year. This shift is attributed in part to rising fuel prices resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. While the total number of EVs in use has exceeded 200,000, they currently represent 7.3 percent of the total passenger car fleet in the country.

As the market expands, concerns regarding infrastructure and safety have emerged. The insurance company Turva has issued warnings about risks associated with EV ownership, specifically advising against the long-term use of standard home sockets for charging. Experts recommend the professional installation of dedicated charging points to mitigate hazards, particularly within residential housing companies.

New data regarding battery reliability has also surfaced. Findings from nearly 100,000 battery tests conducted in Finland by Diagno, the importer of Aviloo diagnostics, indicate that approximately 5 percent of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries show deviations or issues. This dataset, covering a four-year period, represents roughly one-third of all electric vehicles on Finnish roads. Frans Malmarin, Chief Operating Officer at Diagno, noted that these rapid tests provide a more comprehensive view than standard manufacturer State of Health (SoH) measurements.