Electric cars are not selling well in Europe's used car market, with consumers concerned about a lack of charging stations and a lack of range.
Report by European independent media Euractic He said the European Union's largest electric car market is not seeing numbers close to what would be expected in the used car market.
In Germany, which owns the most electric vehicles on the continent, used EVs account for only 1.58% of new owner registrations as of November 2023. This is an increase higher than the 1.23% increase in 2022.
This figure comes from a group representing German car dealers (ZDK), while other industry associations in the Italian and Spanish markets are reported to have a registration rate of less than 1% for used EVs.
“Looking at these numbers, it begs the question: is it even possible to talk about real second-hand goods? [electric] The current automotive market,” ZDK's Marcus Weller told Euractiv.
Factors contributing to the slump in sales of used EVs include high purchase prices, a lack of charging stations, and consumers' concerns about the range of plug-in cars.
Weller also explained that although battery technology has improved in recent years, it will be some time before the powerful batteries in new vehicles are in the hands of second owners.
“These vehicles will not be available on the used car market for another two or three years at the earliest, and that still begs the question of whether there are better vehicles already on the market,” he said. did.
Friedrich Trosse, executive director of AECDR, a trade association for European car dealers, said petrol cars were a safer option for consumers.
“The situation is pretty much the same everywhere in Europe. To put it bluntly, it's almost impossible to sell a used electric car,” Trosse said, adding that car dealer representatives are now trying to address the issue of electric cars being too expensive. also mentioned.
“Small cars in particular are incredibly expensive, if they even exist, much more expensive than cars. [internal combustion engine] Alternative. “
Brussels-based EV advocacy group AVERE disagreed with the figures provided by car dealers.
“There is a lack of reliable and consistent data,” said AVERE Executive Director Philippe Vanzyl. VanZiel echoed similar sentiments from the Canadian government that demand for electric vehicles is so high that waiting times are too long for consumers.
“There is considerable pressure on the second-hand market. [in terms of] The demand for EVs is increasing and people are seriously looking around to see where they can find them,” he asserted.
The advocate also blamed car dealers' lack of knowledge about electric vehicles, making them less likely to promote EV models.
Van Zyl said European purchases of electric cars should increase if governments force consumers to go to low-emission zones.
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