Latvia Introduces EV Kurss Training Project Amid Rising Electric Vehicle Sales
Electric vehicle registrations in Latvia grew by 27 percent in 2025, reaching 1,602 new fully electric cars and prompting the launch of a dedicated training initiative called EV Kurss. Fully electric vehicles accounted for 7.1 percent of all new passenger car registrations in the country last year, while the combined share of electric cars and plug-in hybrids reached 19.3 percent. Across the European Union, electric vehicles made up 21.7 percent of new car registrations in the first eight months of 2026, rising from 15.8 percent during the same period the previous year.
Practical Training Replaces Speculation for First-Time Buyers
EV Kurss founder Ričards Grīns stated that improper vehicle selection often turns an electric car into an expensive and inconvenient purchase, leading to complaints about constant charging and daily friction. Grīns brings more than four years of experience working with public charging infrastructure in the Baltics and testing over 50 different electric vehicle models. The independent project, which is not sponsored by any automotive manufacturer or dealer, offers a three-hour practical training program designed to help drivers evaluate their daily routes, charging access, winter driving conditions, and overall budgets before buying.
Training covers technical fundamentals for new buyers
Transitioning from an internal combustion engine vehicle to an electric car introduces unfamiliar concepts such as alternating current and direct current charging, charging curves, winter battery preparation, lithium iron phosphate versus nickel manganese cobalt battery chemistries, and the ten to eighty percent charging window. Grīns noted that while internet information is abundant, beginners struggle to identify what matters. The training covers these technical fundamentals alongside manufacturer platforms to ensure buyers understand how an electric vehicle fits their specific lifestyle.
Customized programs help companies replace vehicle fleets
The project also provides customized training programs for companies replacing internal combustion engine fleets with electric vehicles. These sessions are tailored to specific operational use cases, ranging from sales teams using passenger cars to delivery businesses operating commercial transport intensively throughout the day. The objective is to ensure employees understand changes to their daily vehicle routines prior to receiving the keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created EV Kurss and what is its purpose?
The independent training and consultation project was created by Ričards Grīns, who has more than four years of professional experience in Baltic public charging infrastructure and tested over 50 electric vehicle models. The initiative aims to help individuals and businesses evaluate whether an electric vehicle matches their daily needs before making a purchase.
How much did electric vehicle registrations increase in Latvia?
New fully electric vehicle registrations in Latvia reached 1,602 units in 2025, representing a 27 percent increase compared to the previous year and capturing 7.1 percent of all new passenger car registrations.
How long does the EV Kurss training session last?
The practical training program takes approximately three hours and covers home and public charging, winter energy consumption, fast-charging mechanics, battery degradation, and different battery technologies.
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