With 10,329 registrations so far this year, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have more new electric passenger cars than ever before.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/sm
This is the first time the total hit the five-figure mark. The numbers reflect a 136.6% increase over last year’s fleet of new, completely electric passenger cars. What’s more, now e-cars represent 3.7% of all new cars in Switzerland and the principality next door, reported importer association Auto-Schweiz on Tuesday. “It’s one of the highest percentages worldwide,” said spokesman Christoph Wolnik.
The demand for hybrid vehicles is also on the rise, with growth of 75.4%. Over one in ten new cars in the two nations is either a hybrid or fully electric. Still, more than half of newly registered cars are 4x4s. The total number of new passenger cars registered this year was 276,641 as of the end of November. Switzerland has more than six million motor vehicles in total.
This past summer, car importers had to pay CHF30 million ($30.4 million) in fines into a national road fund after failing to meet vehicle CO2 emission objectives in 2018.
“The increase in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is due in particular to the growing share of 4×4 vehicles (2018: 48.9% of total) and the decline in diesel vehicles,” the Federal Office of Energy said.
More
More
The growing Swiss love affair with 4x4s
This content was published on
The Swiss seem to be falling more and more in love with big powerful cars with four-wheel-drive performance.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Banning dirty cars to help fight Geneva’s smog
This content was published on
In an effort to reduce air pollution and its health hazards, the Geneva authorities have approved a measure to ban the most polluting vehicles.
This content was published on
The number of motor vehicles in Switzerland broke the six million barrier in 2017, says the Swiss Road Traffic Association.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.