There is a big difference between the US and Norway and some other parts of Europe. In the US a car is almost a requirement for getting and holding down a job. Even the working poor need one.
In Norway if you don’t make decent money you wouldn’t get a car because they are very expensive (so much more a luxury item) and public transport is very good.
I think subsidies and taxes are probably both needed. Sweden added a budget-neutral measure where those who buy new cars get a tax penalty if the car isn’t environmentally friendly and that money is used for tax breaks for those that do get the greener cars.
Obviously the EVs are still more expensive and this measure raises the cost of the cheaper ICEs, but it’s marginal for small cars and more significant on larger luxury cars.
In Norway if you don’t make decent money you wouldn’t get a car because they are very expensive (so much more a luxury item) and public transport is very good.
I think subsidies and taxes are probably both needed. Sweden added a budget-neutral measure where those who buy new cars get a tax penalty if the car isn’t environmentally friendly and that money is used for tax breaks for those that do get the greener cars.
Obviously the EVs are still more expensive and this measure raises the cost of the cheaper ICEs, but it’s marginal for small cars and more significant on larger luxury cars.