Car registrations in the European Union soared by nearly 14% year-on-year in April, with petrol vehicles losing market share. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the number of new cars registered in the EU reached 913,995 units last month, marking a 13.7% increase compared to the previous year.
Significant Growth Across EU Countries
Countries such as Romania, Denmark, Poland, and Spain experienced dramatic growth in car registrations, with increases of 34.6%, 27.1%, 25.1%, and 23.1%, respectively. Cyprus led the way with a remarkable 105.4% jump. Among manufacturers, Honda saw a staggering 155.4% increase, while Volvo and Toyota recorded growth of 63.5% and 47.3%. The Volkswagen Group remained dominant, registering 254,019 units, a 15.5% annual increase.
Rise of Battery-Electric Vehicles
Battery-electric car registrations rose by 14.8% in April, totaling 108,552 units, and maintained a market share of around 12% year-on-year. Cyprus saw a significant rise of 381.3%, followed by Malta, Denmark, and Hungary with increases of 103.6%, 89.8%, and 78.9%, respectively. Germany registered the highest number of battery-electric cars at 29,740, despite a slight annual decline of 0.2%. Conversely, electric registrations fell sharply in Croatia and Ireland by 70.3% and 41.6%, respectively.
Challenges Facing EV Adoption
Despite the increase in electric vehicle registrations, some experts warn of a potential slowdown in demand. Key issues include inadequate charging infrastructure and the high cost of electric vehicles, which remain unaffordable for many consumers. Additionally, the EU’s pushback against cheaper Chinese models, which are subsidized, complicates the market for European manufacturers. This challenge has led companies like Ford Europe to delay their goal of selling only electric cars by 2030.
EU Emission Regulations and Industry Impact
The European Union has implemented a law requiring all new cars and vans sold in Europe to be zero-emission by 2035, with non-compliance resulting in heavy fines. However, Ford Europe’s manager, Martin Sander, highlighted the difficulties in meeting this target due to lower-than-expected sales. Sander emphasized that the company would not force electric vehicles into the market against demand, incur penalties, or sell at significant losses to achieve compliance. This sentiment reflects broader industry concerns about meeting ambitious emission reduction targets amidst fluctuating demand.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Al Jazeera
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