When BEST started, the Clean Vehicle Fleet in Stockholm amounted to over
10 000 vehicles, both private and public. The refuelling infrastructure grew rapidly and there were around 40 fuelling stations for bioethanol in the Stockholm Region. During BEST, the combination of the Clean Vehicles in Stockholm programme and Government policies have resulted in a more rapid market development than expected.
Since 1994, City of Stockholm has worked with different clean technologies like ethanol, biogas, electric, electric-hybrid and fuel cells. Within the City there is a cross-party political board exclusively dealing with clean vehicles and with a clear aim to keep Stockholm as the leading clean vehicle city. Most of the vehicles within the fleet owned and operated by the city are clean vehicles.
Monetary incentives have been an important driving force in the latter stages of market development. Exemption from congestion charges in Stockholm increased clean vehicle sales in Stockholm County. Low prices of renewable fuels between January and October 2008 and the lower employee benefit tax assigned to a clean company cars also boosted sales.
By the end of 2009 the share of clean vehicles in the Swedish vehicle stock was approximately 4 % and 10 % in Stockholm Region. Clean vehicles represent an ever-increasing share of the total vehicle fleet in Sweden and, by end 2009, had developed a market share of 38% of new vehicle sales in Sweden. Flexi-fuel vehicles represent about 20 % of all new vehicle sales. Although the market is not yet self-sustaining it seems to have reached the developing market phase.