Grow electromobility u to the European Union has slowed significantly: in July, the number of newly registered electric cars fell by 11 percent compared to the same month last year. The industry association ACEA recorded a decline in sales in twelve EU countries. As many as 37 percent fewer electric cars were registered in Germany, he announced Deutsche says.
Hybrids sell well
Overall, regardless of drive type, the number of newly registered cars in the EU increased by 0,2 percent compared to the same month last year, to a total of 852.051 vehicles.
The market share of electric cars in new registrations thus decreased - from 13,5 to 12,1 percent. Fossil fuel cars have a slightly reduced market share of 46 percent. Hybrid models, however, have grown significantly and now account for 32 percent.
The key: price and subsidies
"The growth of electromobility is at a standstill - not only in Germany," states mobility expert Konstantin Gal.
But why is that so? "The key factor currently preventing the further spread of electric cars is the high cost," says Gall. In countries where there is high financial support from the state, sales develop positively. Where these subsidies are missing, buyers opt for cheaper cars with internal combustion engines.
The best example is Germany: here, the abolition of the environmental premium has significantly reduced the sale of electric cars. But it is also noticeable that electric cars sell well only in countries with high state subsidies.
This primarily includes the Scandinavian countries - in Denmark the market share of electric cars is already 52 percent, and in Sweden 34 percent. Also, e-cars are in demand in the Benelux thanks to state premiums: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have a market share of around 30 percent.
In the East - a negligible share of e-cars
In most other EU countries, however, electric vehicles still remain an absolute niche product. "In as many as 15 EU countries, the market share of electric cars in July was below ten percent," emphasizes Gal. In Germany it is only 13 percent.
In the countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, electric cars are still very rare on the roads, with a market share of a modest 4,3 percent.
"Market shares are negligible, and there is little indication that this will change in the foreseeable future," says Gall.
Expensive parallel production maintenance of both types
The weak development of the market for electric cars is a big challenge for the industry. Car manufacturers now have to adapt their ambitious goals for electric vehicles to reality and extend the parallel presence of both types of cars on the market - those with internal combustion engines and those with electric drive. According to industry experts, it will cost a lot of money.
An improvement in the situation could only be expected in the medium term, according to Gal: "When cheaper electric cars appear on the market, new groups of customers can be won."
