Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe will reverse in 2024 as cars with conventional internal combustion engines continue to dominate, carmaker data showed on Tuesday.
AFP report A total of 1.99 million battery EVs left showrooms last year, down 1.3% from 2023, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
The figures mark a multi-year stagnation in the growth of electric vehicles in Europe and raise questions about the transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
“Battery electric vehicles will continue to be the third most popular choice for buyers in 2024,” ACEA said in its monthly report on sales.
Gasoline engines accounted for one in three new cars sold last year, followed closely by simple hybrids with a market share of 30.9 percent.
Plug-in hybrids accounted for a further 7.1% of sales.
Fully battery electric vehicles accounted for 13.6% of total sales in 2024, down from 14.6% market share in 2023.
Sales of EVs, which are more expensive than ICE cars, remain largely dependent on government incentives to attract cautious buyers.
EV sales in Germany fell by 27.4% last year as government incentives ended at the end of 2023.
