Since the oil crises in 1970s, various countries have already adopted preliminary plans for Electric Vehicle (EV) promotion, with the intention of eventually replacing internal combustion engine vehicles, as their exhaust causes significant environmental pollution [1]. This research includes battery electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles (and plug-in hybrids) and fuel cell vehicles (electric vehicles). Countries such as Japan and the United States of America (USA) have managed to increase electric vehicle sales, with the help of effective policies promoting their use. The European Union (EU) and other European countries have followed these trends and put into place their own electric vehicle promotional policies, which in some countries, in particular the EU Member States, have been subject to continual improvement.

Electric vehicle promotional policies can be divided geographically, according to their adoption on the international, national or local level [2]. Policies can also be divided from the legislative perspective into internationally binding and non-binding policies. They can include fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, which encompass a wide range of incentives and measures [3]. From the customer’s or consumer’s perspective, these measures can be divided into direct or indirect measures. The use of electric vehicles can be promoted among potential buyers with direct measures, while the development of electric vehicles can be stimulated with indirect measures in order to meet the customer or even the legislative body’s needs. Policies can be accepted unilaterally [4] or as an agreement between representatives of the society [5]. The availability of alternative energy sources and the environmental impact of transportation sector will play major role in the evolution of the transportation sector. Limited oil reserves especially in the EU and consequently political and economic risks can be seen as the most important drivers to reduce fossil fuel dependency and develop alternative solutions. To reduce fossil fuel dependency and transport related environmental impacts effective policy measures such as reduced use of personal transportation, promotion of cycling, walking and public transport must be developed and implemented [6]. However, because of current life style, western standard of living and related independence of traveling with personal vehicle [7] promotion of environmentally sound alternatives such as Low Emission Vehicles (LEV) (vehicles on LPG, CNG, biofuels, electric vehicles and hybrids) is crucial [8] as well as smart grid implementation and reduction of peak energy use. This can be done with charging electric vehicles during the night as well as by heating houses at night as proposed by Babak et al. [9].

In order to solve the challenges posed by the various Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) promotional policies, similar international electric vehicle policies must be studied, analysed and cross-compared individually to evaluate their efficiency and to enable high transport eco-efficiency described by Moriarty and Wang [10] as maximising benefits to society while minimising transport related environmental impacts.

This study reveals that there is no review of the effects of the various policy measures for the promotion of electric vehicles in Slovenia. The purpose of this paper is therefore to consider the content and effects of these policies with special emphasis on Slovenian policies for promotion of LEV as well as their evolution from the decision-making stage and on the end point out some financial and non-financial factors which influence the demand of LEV. In this respect unveiling previous policy measures, evaluate its effects and success in comparison with other studied countries as well as revealing the consumers’ preferences is necessary for effective future policy measures and for promotion and commercialisation of LEV and AFV.

In order to analyse the various international electric vehicles promotional policies, special data were collected from a range of publications produced by international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and national statistical databases, as well scientific and professional papers from the Emerald Insight, ProQuest Social Science Journals and ScienceDirect databases. Compilation method was used to gather and study the data on electric vehicle promotional policies in Slovenia and abroad. For the study of Slovenian electric vehicle promotional policies and statistics, publications (annual reports, appeals, etc.) and internal information from Eco Fund (interviews with Eco-fund middle management) were also used to gather all required data. Data included in annual reports were synthesised to present the general situation in Slovenia. Individual project reports related to electric vehicles in Slovenia as well as national statistical data were also used.

All gathered data has been analysed to make a concise review of electric vehicle policy in Slovenia and to study how many electric vehicles were registered for the first time per year in Slovenia and compared with promotional measures used at that time. The number of registered electric vehicles in Slovenia was then cross-compared with the number of first registrations of electric vehicles on annual basis from Austria, Germany and Great Britain to evaluate the efficiency of policies and development of electric vehicle market in Slovenia compared to three other studied countries. The share of electric vehicles (out of all vehicles) was used as a basis for the comparative analyses.

As Cowan and Hultén [1] claim, it was after the oil crisis in 1970s that the first policies for promoting the use of electric vehicles came into force. However the focus of this review of electric vehicle promotional policies in Slovenia is after 1991, the year in which Slovenia became independent. All electric vehicles registered by March 2014 were included in this research.

In the second part of the paper consumer preferences (crucial factors for purchasing LEV) and segmentation of consumers data obtained by the pre-structured questionnaire from Borthwick and Carreno [11] modified and distributed in Slovenia were used to indicate that promotional policies must focus on the most susceptible segments of consumers to be the most successful [8]. It must also address only relevant financial and non-financial factors because differences can occur in importance of factors in different geographical or cultural areas; therefore relevant financial and non-financial factors for Slovenian consumers were studied.

The accession of Slovenia to the EU and the signing of the international agreement on environmental goals (Kyoto Protocol) constitute the starting point of policies for the promotion of electric vehicles in Slovenia [12]. Slovenia’s accession to the EU in particular is an important milestone, as with this act, Slovenia chose to respect the developmental guidelines on electric vehicles already in place in the EU. Slovenia has modified its legislation by transferring important regulations directly or indirectly connected with the area of electric vehicles promotion into her legislation [13].

In 2005, the Slovenian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (SIHFC) was established by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside the relevant ministry. The SIHFC organized the first event, where the technology of electric vehicles, electric vehicles made by car manufacturers (cars that could actually be bought at that time) and electric vehicles converted by individuals were presented to the public [14]. In January 2012 the first fast charging station for battery electric vehicles was opened in Maribor [15]. With the introduction of charging points, there has been an increase in the use of battery electric vehicles, which are mainly used by electricity distribution companies for promotional activities [16]. At present, there are over 206 charging points for electric vehicles in Slovenia [17] and even though Slovenia has a leading position in the EU regarding the number of installed charging points [18], the number of charging points is still much lower than that proposed by the EU Commission, which proposed 3,000 charging stations for Slovenia [19].

Contrary to other types of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles have already been present on the Slovenian car market for some time, longer than any other type of electric vehicle [11]. The first hybrid vehicles on the market were Toyota Prius [20], followed by Honda Civic Hybrid [21] and Honda Insight [22]. The number of registered hybrids has gradually grown along with the number of car manufacturers offering them and the number of available models. For example, Toyota itself is currently selling six different hybrid vehicles [23]. A small number of customers have accepted the idea of such vehicles, which are becoming more and more competitive in comparison to vehicles with only petrol/diesel engines. Hybrid vehicles owners also pay lower road tax because of their smaller Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions [22].

Potential electric vehicle buyers can apply to an Eco Fund for financial subsidies and loan schemes to help with their purchase. The Eco Fund approves loans for electric vehicles if its emissions do not exceed a predetermined level. These loans are intended specifically for hybrid vehicles, as they do not exceed the strict rules governing emissions. Between 2004 and 2012, the Eco Fund approved 146 loans for hybrid vehicles [24]. Since 2011, the general public as well as companies have had the chance to receive financial grants for the purchase of electric vehicles that meet predetermined criteria, or for customizing any vehicle into an electric one in compliance with the relevant criteria [25]. Grants are available only for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Unfortunately, these grants remain rather unexploited [26], as the share of electric vehicles is still relatively low. The Eco Fund also gives grants to transport companies for the conversion of buses to biogas or compressed natural gas. In 2012, there were no applicants, so no grants were approved or given [24].

The question must be asked as to whether the public is properly informed about the possibility of receiving grants to purchase electric vehicles [27]. Moreover, Hackbarth and Madlener [28] revealed that households are willing to pay considerable amounts for greater fuel economy and emission reduction, improved driving range and charging infrastructure, as well as for enjoying vehicle tax exemptions and free parking or bus lane access. However, they are usually insufficiently informed about the public incentives and policies promoting electric vehicles. The possibility of companies receiving grants for electric vehicles can also be very important for their promotion, particularly in large and well-known companies.

Besides the government, which operates electric vehicle promotion policies, local authorities also play a key role, as they are an important partner in international projects, carrying out demonstration projects and adopting goals concerning the introduction of electric vehicles into everyday use [29] as proposed also in Maribor, second largest city in Slovenia [30]. Slovenian capital Ljubljana which is also green capital of Europe 2016 has adopted an electro mobility plan in which there are clearly determined measures to encourage the use of electric vehicles in the city [31]. Car dealers, who represent car manufacturers, often do not take part in policies for promoting the use of electric vehicles. Even when they organise special offers for replacing old vehicles with new, cleaner vehicles [32], a problem arises, as most of the car dealers behind such offers do not sell electric vehicles [33].

Past and present electric vehicle promotion policies were adopted as a result of cooperation between public and private institutions e.g., research institutes and car industry representatives. For this purpose, electric vehicle development strategies were drawn-up, financial grant schemes were accepted alongside with other measures and activities. Review of these measures and activities is presented in Table 1.

Additionally, international project cooperation between the public and private sector was also established on this basis. These projects were mainly focused in research and development and cooperation of different EU Member States with private sector such as:

• MAG-DRIVE project (2010−2016) − with its emphasis on producing novel or substantially improved materials for permanent magnets, replacing or greatly reducing the rare-earth content, which will result in weight reductions and power density increases, making the magnets more suitable for recycling and dismantling, and leading to increased efficiency when integrated into automotive systems [34];

• SMART V2G project (2011−2014) − with the main objective connecting the electric vehicle to the grid by enabling controlled flow of energy and power through safe, secure, energy efficient and convenient transfer of electricity and data [35];

• EUROLIION project (2011−2015) − with the main objective developing a new Li-ion cell for traction purposes with the following characteristics: ‘High energy density of at least 200 Wh/kg’, ‘Low costs i.e., a maximum of 150 EUR/kWh’ ‘Improved safety’. Although the Li-ion cell appears to be the most appropriate technology to meet these goals, considerable research and development is required [36];

• CAPIRE project (2010−2014) − focused on the definition of the potential Flagships projects which could foster the competitiveness of the European Automotive Industry in the domain of Transport Electrification as well as in the development of technologies and services to reduce the European CO2 footprint [37];

• HYSYS project (2005−2009) − focused on the research on of low-cost components for Fuel Cell (FC-) systems and electric drive systems which can be used in future hybridised FC-vehicles (medium term objective) and ICE vehicles [38].

While the participating partners have defended the success of these activities, the real effects are seen through electric vehicle sales, which have not met the predictions made by car sales companies [39].

This research has proved that there is no review of the effects of the various policy measures for the promotion of electric vehicles in Slovenia. Slovenia is at the beginning on the so-called “road” to the implementation of electric vehicles, since Slovenia just started to work on strategy for electric vehicles. Nonetheless that the sales of LEV are increasing and that Slovenia is leading in dispersity of charging stations, per capita LEV market is still underdeveloped in Slovenia.

A review of electric vehicle promotion policies is crucial, as this allows us to efficiently review effects and assess the success of individual policies and pinpoint measures for the wider implementation of electric vehicles to avoid inappropriate measures and to focus new strategy for electric vehicle use in Slovenia on measures such as higher subsidies, wide network of public charging stations, education and promotion etc. Based on the number of first-time registered electric vehicles, and its share in comparison with other countries it was confirmed that the policies for promoting the use of electric vehicles in Slovenia have been largely unsuccessful, as the share of electric vehicles, e.g., in 2013, has not even reached 1% of all vehicles and is significantly lower than the share in Austria, Germany and Great Britain.

Single measures do not exist and promotional policies must be adapted to the consumer preferences. Different measures are effective for different environments and different segments of the public. As indicated, No-Greens are not appropriate to be addressed within promotional policies since they are much less susceptible than Go-With the Flow Greens or already convinced Go-Greens. However, Slovenia must address the relatively high share of Go-Greens as well as Go-With the Flow Greens which are more susceptible to LEV.