Denmark’s transition to electric vehicles has created wide differences among its municipalities. Data shows that while some towns lead the green shift, others lag far behind due to infrastructure and timing challenges.
Electric Rat Patrols in Holbæk
In Holbæk Municipality, roads have grown noticeably quieter as city workers have transitioned to electric vehicles. One example is Martin Withøft, a municipal pest control worker who drives a new electric van on his daily rounds combating rats across the region. His ID Buzz easily handles more than 250 kilometers each day, running silently and emitting no exhaust.
The municipality of Holbæk is among Denmark’s greenest when it comes to municipal fleets. About 72 percent of the city’s vehicles now run on electricity, a result of a targeted local policy implemented back in 2019. Officials there saw the transition as essential to their overall climate and environmental goals.
Switching fleet vehicles from diesel to electricity was not simple. Officials faced large logistical barriers, from installing charging stations to ensuring sufficient power capacity. Local departments coordinated site planning and power upgrades to handle the new demand—an effort that underlines how deeply the city committed to sustainability. Holbæk’s experience highlights what can happen when local governments prioritize the green shift. For more context about how Denmark measures its electric mobility goals, see this analysis of electric cars in Denmark.
Faxe Trails Behind
An hour’s drive south, the picture looks entirely different. In Faxe Municipality, nearly the entire vehicle fleet still runs on gasoline or diesel. Only 0.5 percent of its municipal vehicles are electric, placing Faxe at the very bottom of a new national ranking published by Mobility Denmark.
Local leaders explain that supply chain issues disrupted their earlier attempt to replace aging vehicles. When contracts were up for renewal in 2022, electric vehicles were nearly impossible to obtain, forcing Faxe officials to extend their lease agreements for conventional cars. Still, critics in the city council argue that delays show a lack of ambition, pointing to other municipalities that managed to adapt quickly despite similar challenges.
Denmark’s national infrastructure for charging has expanded rapidly, making adoption easier for areas investing today. An ongoing rollout of new EV fast chargers across Denmark is expected to reduce wait times and expand driving range confidence across regions like Faxe, where access remains limited.
Wider Growth Across Municipalities
Since the 2021 local elections, Danish municipalities overall have seen a steep increase in electric vehicle adoption. In total, 28 percent of all municipal fleets now run on electricity compared to just under eight percent three years ago. However, this national growth hides strong regional differences. Cities that placed climate goals at the center of their agenda saw rapid progress, while others with fewer resources or weaker political focus have lagged behind.
Mobility industry leaders say these differences largely come down to prioritization. Municipal decision-makers who publicly committed to electrification also followed through by requiring electric cars in their tenders. In contrast, others have yet to decide how strongly they want to engage in the transition.
For Denmark as a whole, the electrification of public fleets fits into a much larger national transformation. The country continues to accelerate its energy transition through major investments in renewable capacity. A recent initiative added half a billion kroner to boost the clean energy grid, supporting both home charging and public EV infrastructure.
Balancing Sustainability and Practicality
Even some employees behind the wheel remain cautious about electric vehicles, partly due to logistics and range concerns. Yet most recognize that Denmark’s green transition depends on actions at both the national and municipal levels. When cities like Holbæk invest early, they not only reduce their own emissions but also help shape broader confidence in sustainable technologies.
Municipal fleets might seem small in scale compared to the total number of vehicles on Danish roads, but they send an important signal. As more public institutions electrify their transport, adoption among private drivers tends to follow. The gradual shift across Denmark shows that the green transition is no longer a distant goal but a visible, ongoing process happening in daily public work routines—from recycling crews to pest control patrols.
Sources and References
dr.dk: Martin’s electric rat control car: not all Danish municipalities drive equally green
The Danish Dream: Are electric cars in Denmark truly a green choice?
The Danish Dream: New EV fast chargers boost travel in Denmark
The Danish Dream: Danish energy transition accelerates with half a billion investment
