Electric Car Sales Decline in Europe Amid Otherwise Stable Market

PARIS, Jan 21, 2025 – Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe experienced a slight decline in 2024, marking a shift after years of consistent growth. Data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) revealed that 1.99 million battery-electric vehicles were sold across Europe last year, representing a 1.3 percent drop compared to 2023.

The downturn highlights potential challenges in the transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, despite overall car sales in Europe, including Britain, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, edging up by 0.9 percent to nearly 13 million units.

“Battery-electric cars remained the third-most-popular choice for buyers in 2024,” ACEA stated, noting that these vehicles accounted for 13.6 percent of total car sales, down from 14.6 percent in 2023. Petrol-powered cars retained the largest market share at one-third of total sales, followed closely by simple hybrids at 30.9 percent. Plug-in hybrids contributed another 7.1 percent to the mix.

Global EV sales, however, rose by 25 percent last year, driven by robust demand in China, according to the Rho Motion consultancy.

Government incentives and regulations heavily influenced EV sales in Europe. Germany, the continent’s largest car market, saw EV sales plunge by 27.4 percent as subsidies ended in late 2023. Conversely, the United Kingdom experienced a 21.4 percent surge, becoming Europe’s largest EV market by volume with nearly 382,000 units sold, spurred by government-imposed sales targets for automakers.

Norway maintained its position as the leader in EV market share, with nearly 90 percent of new vehicles sold being battery-electric, ahead of its 2025 ban on ICE vehicle sales. This shift was further propelled by high taxes on ICE vehicles, making EVs a more cost-effective choice for Norwegian consumers.

As Europe prepares for the European Union’s 2035 ban on new ICE vehicle sales, the recent stall in EV growth raises questions about the readiness of consumers and markets for a full transition to electric mobility. Source:(BSS/AFP)

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