Electric vehicle sales continue to skyrocket in Europe

As Europe moves to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are rising, with Spain and Germany leading the way.

Their second-quarter market share doubled over 2020 – with all-electric vehicles accounting for 7.5 per cent of new-car sales in Europe in the three months through June, against 3.5 per cent during the same period last year. 

European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported substantial gains in the region’s top four markets, with sales more than quadrupling in Spain and Germany. The data was revealed only a week after the European Commission released plans for what amounts to an effective ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035.

What's more, hybrid vehicles, which are seen by some as a transitional technology, have had great success in the region also.

“Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles had an even more impressive second quarter of 2021, with registrations jumping by 255.8 per cent to 235,730 units,” said the ACEA.

Petrol cars, which still claimed a majority of sales in the second quarter of last year with a 51.9 per cent of market share, saw a major decline to 41.8 percent, while diesel-powered vehicles saw a market share decrease to 20.4 per cent from 29.4 per cent.

The data comes as a rise in car makers unveiling plans to move to all-electric model line-ups, while policymakers indicate the days of internal combustion engines are numbered.