Early Adopter Nation for Electric Vehicles Case of Iceland Dr. Andri Ottesen, Australian Collage of Kuwait, Misref, Kuwait a.ottesen@ack.edu.kw Dr. Sumaya Banna sumayyabanna@hotmail.com Abstract During 2012, the authors conducted a comprehensive survey that aimed to meas- ure the market readiness of electric vehicles in Iceland as a predictive assessment for European and American markets that would be the most likely customers seg- ment of electric vehicles for year 2018. The earlier study made a prediction about the strong rise in the demand for electric vehicles until the year 2018. Hence, the predictions for 2018 are investigated and examined and followed-up with in-depth qualitative interviews with several owners of electric vehicles and members of a think tank for application of new fuels in Iceland, and lastly with experts at the Ministry of transportation. The main objective was to gather qualitative data about the implementation of electric vehicles in Iceland, its success and limita- tions, the outlook, conditions for success, discussion of future research, manage- ment implications, and how the case of Iceland is applicable as an early adoption model for countries within the region. Keywords: Electric Vehicles, Market Readiness, Iceland, Kuwait Introduction The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA) has categorized electric vehicles into three types: BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles), EREV (Ex- tended Range Electric Vehicles), and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). The BEV is a vehicle, which uses battery as the only power source. The EREV is a car that utilizes battery as a primary source of energy for short daily trips and utilizes the hydrocarbon combustion engine for longer daily trips and/or trips that do not rely on high speed, and the battery is charged while driving on the combus- tion engine. The PHEVs are similar to EREVs where the battery is charged by plugging it into a power source just like BEVs. The technology of lithium-ion bat- teries are the most optimum and effective solutions for electric vehicles due to high charging possibilities and energy densities. Battery aging has become one of the greatest concerns for the users and producers of the electric vehicles. Other factors include discharging situations, weather humidity, and temperature that may influence the performance and capacity of the battery. Range Anxiety (RA) is an issue for the driver of the electric car and is usually termed as the fear of becoming