The Danes are still reluctant to purchase cars that are powered by electricity, hydrogen or gas, so the energy authoritiy Energistyrelsen has decided to establish a grant system that will help enlighten Danish customers about the new types of cars.

For instance, the grants will be given to car-sharing initiatives and leasing companies and will enable them to offer electric cars at rates competitive to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

“We need to spread the use of electric cars in Denmark,” the climate and energy minister. Rasmus Helveg Petersen, said in a press release.

“The goal is for the transport sector to be fossil fuel free by 2050. But the consumers lack knowledge about and trust in the new car types. So we’ve set aside funds for projects that can escalate the development and get more green cars onto Danish roads.”

READ MORE: City doubling the number of electric cars it uses

Application date approaching
As of now, 99 percent of all vehicles on Danish roads are powered by petrol or diesel, and since 2013, Energistyrelsen has set up trial and partnership initiatives that promote the use of electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars, hydrogen cars and gas-powered cars.

Energistyrelsen’s actions mean that in 2014-2015 a further 1,400 electric cars will hit the Danish streets, and the authority will again this year support trials and partnerships that aim to promote green cars with 38 million kroner.

The news comes in the wake of the Copenhagen City Council revealing its plans to double the number of electric cars it uses over the next 18 months.

The application deadline for ’Partnerskaber for el, brint og gas til transport’ (partnerships for electric, hydrogen and gas for transport) and ’Forsøgsordningen for elbiler’ (trial scheme for electric cars) is Monday November 10.