Market share of e-cars doubles in EU

The market share of electric cars has more than doubled in the European Union (EU) year-on-year in the second quarter (Q2) of this year, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said on Friday.

Xinhua reported the announcement by the ACEA, which represents Europe's 15 major car, van, truck and bus makers, came after the European Commission unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for achieving the EU's ambitious target of reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and to become climate-neutral by 2050.

All-electric cars accounted for 7.5 percent of new car sales in the EU in Q2 2021, up from 3.5 percent in the same period of last year. The share of plug-in hybrids has increased to 8.4 percent.

Demand for hybrid cars, in which the battery charges while driving, has also been on a steady increase, reaching 19.3 percent of new registrations in Q2.

The market share of traditional fuel types (petrol and diesel) has contracted, making up 62.2 percent of new cars sold. Diesel vehicles accounted for 20.4 percent, down from 29.4 percent in Q2 2020. Similarly, the market share of petrol-powered cars shrank from 51.9 percent in Q2 2020 to 41.8 percent in Q2 2021.

Between April and June, registrations of both petrol and diesel vehicles increased across the EU, by 25.3 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively, on the back of a low base of comparison due to last year's COVID-19 restrictions.