Electric vehicle sales ‘rising’ in Europe

Report by Transport & Environment claims that sales of electric vehicles may exceed 500,000 by 2021

The sale of electric vehicles in Europe has doubled annually since they were first marketed in 2010, according to figures published by the EU green transport body Transport and Environment (T&E) this week.

Sales of electric vehicles are increasing in the EU according to T&E

A report, published on Wednesday (July 30) by T&E states that around 50,000 plug-in vehicles were sold in the EU throughout 2013, representing around 0.4% of all cars.

The report shows that the top three selling EV models in 2013 were all new entrants to the market (Renault Zoe, Mitsubishi Outlander and Volvo V60 Plug-in). In contrast, sales of the best-selling models in 2012 (Opel Ampera and Peugeot Citroen iOn / C-zero ) both fell significantly.

Future

T&E adds that the future trajectory of EVs sales is highly uncertain but seems likely to continue on at least the trajectory achieved since 2010. On this basis European sales would exceed 100,000 by 2015, 500,000 by 2021 and 1 million by 2025. This steady growth is more likely in the medium term than a sudden transformation of car sales to electric powertrains.

Commenting on the findings, Greg Archer, policy team manager for clean vehicles at T&E, said: “Electric vehicles play an important role in the shift to more sustainable mobility, and their increasing sales are being driven by carmakers’ need to innovate to meet EU CO2 regulations.

“Including transport in the Emissions Trading Scheme would put a brake on low carbon vehicle innovations. Emissions standards complemented by targets for ultra-low carbon efficient cars will ensure the current rapid pace of innovation is maintained.”