The electric vehicle (EV) market in Europe is constantly evolving, with each country showing different rates and characteristics in their adoption.
However, three European countries are positioned as the most advanced in adopting electric mobility, particularly Germany, France, and the United Kingdom (UK), mainly due to the significant presence of government incentives.
Here is an overview of the current situation in each nation by Mobility Portal Europe.
France
Clément Molizon, General Delegate of Avere-France, reports that the first half of 2024 closes on a mixed note for the EV market.
In June, with 47,539 registrations, the month stands as the second most prolific of the year, despite having two fewer working days.
Nonetheless, for the second consecutive month, registrations decreased compared to the same period in 2023.
Overall, this period saw a seven percent growth, reaching nearly 250,000 registered cars.
This growth occurs in a turbulent context for electric mobility, marked by the abrupt end of the bonus for companies and the exclusion of vehicles produced in countries like China, which has significantly impacted the volumes of some manufacturers.
Moreover, many new electric vehicle models are still in the launch phase, and others, highly anticipated, will not be available on the market until the end of the year.
This situation has caused supply gaps during this transition period from one model to another.
In terms of regions with the most alternative fuel cars, Île-de-France leads with 12,064 cars (6,674 private electric, 1,365 electric utility, and 4,025 plug-in hybrids), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with 6,145 cars (4,012 private electric, 368 electric utility, and 1,765 plug-in hybrids).
Following are Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur with 4,180 cars (2,756 private electric, 230 electric utility, and 1,194 plug-in hybrids) and Hauts de France with 4,046 units (2,261 electric, 538 utility, and 1,247 hybrids).
Regarding infrastructure, June was a record month for the installation of charging points, with 5,834 new devices, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 20,878 new points, a 28 percent increase compared to the previous half-year.
This is particularly relevant considering that all service areas of the toll motorway network have been equipped with fast and ultra-fast charging since summer 2023.
Germany
Germany remains a leader in the adoption of zero-emission cars on the European continent.
In the first six months of 2024, registrations of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles reached record figures, with a 15 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are the cities with the highest number of registrations, driven by incentive policies and a well-developed charging infrastructure.
According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), in June 2024, new registrations of electric and plug-in vehicles totalled 297,300, a six percent increase compared to June 2023.
In total, 58,820 were electric vehicles, although this number represents a 15 percent decrease from the previous year. From January to June 2024, 273,700 new EVs were registered, a nine percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023.
Of these, 184,100 were battery electric vehicles (BEVs), a 16 percent decrease, and 89,500 were plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), a 13 percent increase.
Germany’s charging infrastructure is also continually expanding, with over 80,000 public charging points by the end of last month. This growth is due to government initiatives and collaborations with the private sector, which have facilitated the installation of fast and ultra-fast charging points in urban and rural areas.
United Kingdom
The UK shows robust growth in the EV market.
According to Zapmap, at the end of June 2024, there were 1,145,000 fully electric cars and 670,000 plug-in hybrids in circulation.
In this period, EVs accounted for 19 percent of all new vehicle registrations, with 34,034 electric cars registered. This represents a significant increase compared to the same month last year, driven by growing consumer demand and the greater availability of electric models.
The UK has also seen significant expansion in its charging infrastructure. At the end of June this year, there were 64,775 public charging points, a 46 percent year-on-year increase.
This growth is due to the installation of 20,367 new devices since June 2023, including slow, fast, and ultra-fast charging points. Zapmap figures indicate that in June 2024, 2,239 new net charging devices were added, distributed as 1,379 slow devices, 558 fast, and 302 rapid and ultra-fast.
Greater London leads in infrastructure with 20,679 charging points, followed by the Southeast with 8,016 and Scotland with 5,663.
Additionally, it is estimated that there are over 700,000 charging points in homes and workplaces, many of which are available to the public through community charging programmes.
It is important to note that in the region, March and September are key months for new vehicle registrations, leading to semi-annual peaks in electric car sales and a historical drop in market share during these periods.
However, the overall trend shows a steady increase in the adoption of electric vehicles, supported by government policies and the expansion of the charging infrastructure.
Read more: Top 5: How Are European Cities with the Most Charging Points Progressing?
