Skip advert
Advertisement

1 in 5 new cars sold globally is a Chinese EV but Europe’s electric car appetite is questioned

New data shows that EV market share in Europe fell by 0.3 per cent in the first half of this year, despite the car market heading towards pre-pandemic levels

MG4 - front

European demand for electric cars appears to be waning. While total sales of new cars continue to rise towards pre-pandemic levels, the EV slice of the pie actually reduced in the first half of 2024.

New data from automotive analytics firm JATO Dynamics shows how the number of new car registrations grew by 4.4 per cent from 6.56 million units in the first half of 2023 to 6.85 million in the same period in 2024.

However, while this means the number of EVs sold has increased by two per cent to a total of 949,981 units, the market share of electric cars has dipped by 0.3 per cent to 13.9 per cent. While we are yet to see such dips for the UK market specifically, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that the share of EVs in the UK only grew by 0.5 per cent to 16.7 per cent in the first half of this year.

One in five new cars worldwide is a chinese EV

As for the rest of the world, JATO now says one in five new cars is a Chinese EV, a stark contrast to Europe where models hailing from China only account for 17 per cent of the number of electric cars sold, and only one per cent of all new registrations – excluding those from American brand Tesla, which has a gigafactory in Shanghai.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO, said the “moderate” growth in the European car market is a result of “more complex operating environment, including emissions regulations, increasing prices of vehicles, and barriers facing the adoption of electric cars”.

“It’s vital that over the next 6 months, the industry does all it can to dispel uncertainty surrounding the EV market,” Munroz continued, “including how EU tariffs on imported electric cars from China will impact the affordability of these vehicles”.

At the time of writing, the EU remains in talks with China over its controversial new tariffs. They came into effect earlier in July and impose additional duty charges that can be as high 38 per cent on all electric models imported from China in an effort to counteract “unfair subsidisation” by Beijing.

While the UK government is yet to announce its policy on this issue, Professor of Business and Sustainability at Cardiff University, Peter Wells, previously told Auto Express that the nation is in a “vulnerable position on this issue [post-Brexit]” and that the additional costs from the tariffs “would [ultimately] be passed onto consumers”.

Now read more about the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Consumer reporter

Tom is Auto Express' Consumer reporter, meaning he spends his time investigating the stories that matter to all motorists - enthusiasts or otherwise. An ex-BBC journalist and Multimedia Journalism graduate, Tom previously wrote for partner sites Carbuyer and DrivingElectric and you may also spot him throwing away his dignity by filming videos for the Auto Express social media channels.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024
Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers
Renault Zoe being driven in Paris

Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers

Drivers entering Paris city centre will have to prove residency or a valid destination to avoid a fine
News
5 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Ford Sierra vs MG Montego retro test: they were acceptable in the 80s, but what about now?
Ford Sierra vs MG Montego - header

Ford Sierra vs MG Montego retro test: they were acceptable in the 80s, but what about now?

When Auto Express first hit newsagents’ shelves in 1988, these popular saloons were battling it out in company car parks. Some 36 years later, how wil…
Car group tests
29 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Top-selling Nissan Qashqai is a new year treat at £212 a month
Nissan Qashqai e-Power N-Design - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Top-selling Nissan Qashqai is a new year treat at £212 a month

The Nissan Qashqai is a very popular SUV – and it’s fantastic value for money as our Deal of the Day for 30 December goes to show
News
30 Dec 2024
New Volkswagen ID.3 on the way with big improvements in range and quality
Volkswagen ID3 exclusive image - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 on the way with big improvements in range and quality

The Volkswagen ID.3 will get a completely new design language and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
2 Jan 2025