It's the heavy end that's facing down. At least when it comes to sales of electric cars in Europe. This is shown by new figures from the car manufacturers' own organization, ACEA.
Electric car sales in Europe have taken a dive in 2024. New figures from the European automobile association ACEA show a decline of almost six percent compared to 2023. 1.4 million electric cars were registered in the EU during the year.
– The decline in sales of electric cars in the EU covers up big differences. Roughly speaking, the market is divided in two. There are the Northern European countries, where things are going well, and then there are the rest, says Thomas Moller Sorensen, industry director for DI Bilbranchen.
The organization writes this in a press release.
In Denmark and other northern European countries, sales of electric cars remain high. According to Thomas Moller Sorensen, this is due to "long-term and continuous support for the purchase of electric cars and a clear framework for investments in charging stations."
To increase sales of electric cars in the rest of Europe, DI Bilbranchen believes that both the EU and the member states must take responsibility.
– The EU must support the production of electric cars to a greater extent and ensure necessary investments in the electricity grid. At the same time, member states must give greater priority to funds to support the purchase of electric cars, says Thomas Moller Sorensen.
The Danish Automotive Industry Confederation emphasizes the importance of interaction between sales of electric cars and the rollout of charging infrastructure.
– It is the synergy effect between the sale of electric cars and the rollout of charging options that we now need to get going in the rest of Europe, says Thomas Moller Sorensen.
One of the countries that is slowing down electric car sales is Germany. In Europe's largest car market, buyers are generally turning their backs on electric cars.
Especially after the German government in December 2023 immediately removed state support for all new electric cars to plug holes in the state treasury, sales have gone downhill.
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So much so, in fact, that more electric cars are being bought and sold in England. But they're not just crazy about electric cars on the other side of the Øresund either. On the contrary, the Swedes have repeatedly lowered the price of fuel.
However, this is related to a number of election promises from the current government in Stockholm. At the moment, Swedes can fill up on what is Europe's second cheapest petrol.
