Far-right ideology slows adoption of green technologies, but the partisan gap is dynamic

The diffusion of green technologies is critical for climate goals, yet political polarization influences adoption. We examine how ideology affects electric vehicle (EV) and residential solar photovoltaic (PV) uptake in Germany, drawing on three-wave survey data (n=2,356–3,092; 2022–24) and municipality-level registrations, installations, and voting data (n=10,733; 2014–23). Supporters of the far-right AfD show significantly lower willingness to adopt EVs and, to a lesser degree, PVs, compared to Green Party voters. Polarization is not static: while PV adoption was initially strongly tied to political preferences, this effect weakened as the technology matured. EV adoption is more polarized but exhibits a declining trend over time. Yet, we also find that previously unpolitical technologies, like heat pumps, can suddenly become polarized. Using an instrumental variable approach based on wolf attacks – a proven predictor of far-right voting – we address endogeneity concerns and identify a causal negative impact of far-right voting on green technology adoption.