Ethically good climate nudges: Electric cars as an example

Abstract

Nudges are a group of different ways of altering human behavior without forbidding any options. Replacing internal combustion engine cars with electric cars would diminish emissions from traffic. Is it possible to use ethically excellent nudges to enhance the use of electric cars? The question is answered by applying the following six ethically relevant factors (identified in an earlier study) to nudges for electric cars: (1) the other-regarding nature of climate nudges; (2) how to take climate change denialists into account; (3) certainty regarding the right or best behaviours; (4) justice concerns; (5) transparency; and (6) the efficacy of climate nudges. 

The outcome of the analysis are the following practical recommendations: Nudges for electric cars should be targeted to those, who can afford an electric car and to those, who will not give up using a passenger car. Nudges for electric cars should be accompanied by nudges for more climate friendly forms of transport. Nudges for electric cars should by transparent unless there are good reasons for them being opaque. In order to avoid green wash, the efficacy of nudges of electric cars should evaluated when planning them or carrying them out.