Electric Cars Surpass Gasoline Vehicles in Europe
December marked a significant milestone in Europe’s automotive landscape, with electric vehicle (EV) sales finally outnumbering those of traditional gasoline cars for the first time. This shift indicates a major evolution in consumer preferences across the continent.
According to a recent report, European consumers purchased over 300,000 electric vehicles in December alone. This impressive performance illustrates a year-on-year increase of about 50% in EV registrations, as noted by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
In terms of numbers, 308,955 new electric vehicles were registered throughout the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes countries like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Specifically, within the EU, there were 217,898 new registrations in December, reflecting an increase of just over 50% compared to the same month in the previous year.
This surge occurs amidst a downturn in sales for conventional fuel vehicles in Europe. Predictions indicated that electric cars would outstrip diesel by the end of 2023, with plug-in hybrids set to follow suit a year later. Diesel vehicles, once the frontrunners, have seen a consistent decline in market share over the last decade and are now at the bottom of the sales rankings.
In December, conventional gasoline vehicle registrations dropped to 216,492 in the EU, which is a 19.2% decrease from the previous year. Overall, when considering the EU, EFTA, and the UK, petrol car registrations reached 254,449—indicating a year-on-year decline of 17.7%.
Diesel cars also saw a continued drop, with only 70,000 registered across the EU, EFTA, and UK, reflecting a 23.1% decline compared to the previous year. These figures show just how far diesel vehicles have fallen from their previous dominance.
On the other hand, hybrid vehicles still lead in overall European car sales. In December, there were 380,921 hybrids registered across the EU and surrounding regions, with 324,799 in the EU alone. Despite this, the growth rate for hybrids (5.8% in the EU) lagged behind the rapid rise of electric vehicle registrations.
Another highlight is the strong performance of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which saw 123,460 new registrations in December, a 35.8% increase compared to the previous year. These hybrids, combining an electric motor with a gasoline engine and allowing for external recharging, continue to attract consumers seeking versatile transportation solutions.
The increasing availability of affordable electric vehicle options significantly contributes to higher consumer adoption rates. Nowadays, buyers can choose from a broader array of competitively priced electric models. For instance, the revamped Renault 5 is available starting at approximately 28,000 euros ($33,000).
There are also reports of a surge in Chinese electric vehicles in Europe, with BYD’s sales overtaking Tesla’s in both Germany and the UK.
In Germany, which is Europe’s largest electric vehicle market, BYD registered more than double the number of new vehicles compared to Tesla in December. Annual figures reveal an even more striking picture, with BYD’s sales soaring by 800% to 23,306 cars for the year, while Tesla’s registrations nearly halved to 19,390.
A similar trend has been observed in the UK, the second largest plug-in market. BYD surpassed Tesla in September and maintained its lead through the end of the year, finishing with 51,422 registrations, while Tesla had 45,513 during the same period.
