The widespread skepticism about electric cars seems to be giving way to greater acceptance in Europe, where electric cars overtook diesel cars for the first time in August.
According to data from 26 European markets, a total of 151,737 new electric and hybrid vehicles were registered last month, an increase of 61% compared to the previous year.
Total electric car sales in Europe since January were 1.32 million units, said analyst Felipe Munoz. The figures were compiled by the automotive information service JATO Dynamics.
Worldwide diesel sales are in a downturn, partly due to the damage caused by the Volkswagen Group’s emissions scandal and increasing driving bans in metropolitan areas.
Many manufacturers have removed diesel engines from their range, although they continue to be popular with SUV buyers.
Experts say the electric car market is holding up well despite the car sales disruption caused by the pandemic.
In Europe, the electric versions of the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, Hyundai Kona, Opel Corsa, Kia Niro and VW’s ID.3, which was Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle this month, were particularly popular.
Overall, new registrations in Europe fell 18% last month to 713,714 units, their lowest level since the same month in 2014. This came amid a shortage of computer chips that has slowed production and extended waiting lists.
According to the energy industry’s global website power-technology.com, sales of electric vehicles rose in all three of the top automotive markets during the year.
In the first half of 2021, sales rose by 160% year-on-year to 2.6 million units. This corresponds to 26% of new sales in the global automotive market.
China is the world’s leading market for electric vehicles with 1.1 million vehicles sold in the first half of the year, or 12% of global sales. Electric vehicles have become less popular in the United States. Only 250,000 units were sold, which is 3% of sales.
