Electric car sales fall in Europe while hybrids rise

PARIS: Sales of new electric cars crucial in the fight against climate change fell in Europe in May, car manufacturers announced on Thursday, while the number of hybrid vehicles rose.

While the European Union plans to ban the sale of combustion-powered cars by 2035, electric car sales have been sluggish since the end of 2023, mainly due to a lack of affordable models.Battery electric vehicles (EVs) declined from 13.8 per cent of the market in May 2023 to 12.5 per cent, according to monthly statistics published by the Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

New registrations of rechargeable plug-in hybrids also declined by 14.7 per cent in May, now accounting for just 6.5 per cent.On the other hand, the market share of hybrid electrics grew from a quarter to nearly 30 per cent, while the combined share of fossil fuel-guzzling petrol and diesel cars fell to just under half.

In the main European markets, sales of battery electric cars rose only in France and Belgium. They continued to fall in automobile powerhouse Germany, where purchase incentives were abolished at the end of 2023.