Financial incentives for electric cars: Comparison of Türkiye and selected country applications

Global climate change, dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing urban air pollution have made clean energy-based solutions essential in the transportation sector. Electric cars, with their low emissions and high energy efficiency, are at the heart of this transformation. However, obstacles such as the high purchase cost of electric vehicles, limited range, and inadequate charging infrastructure limit the adoption of electric cars. Therefore, financial incentive policies are being developed in many countries. This study examines financial incentive policies for electric cars in comparison with Turkey and selected countries. The study examines various incentive mechanisms implemented in selected countries, such as tax deductions, purchase grants, low-interest loan opportunities, and charging infrastructure investments. The situation in Turkey is evaluated, and financial incentive recommendations for Turkey are presented. An evaluation of Turkey's current incentive system for electric cars reveals that it is limited in scope and sustainability compared to international practices. In Turkey, support is primarily focused on production, while these incentives are implemented on a project-by-project basis, and support for ownership and usage is limited compared to other countries. It has been determined that improvements are needed, particularly in direct purchase grants, long term financial support, and the development of widespread charging infrastructure. In this context, it is recommended that Turkey's incentive policies for electric vehicles be strengthened in terms of both scope and continuity.