Sales of new electric cars fell in the European Union last year, according to new data released by industry body the ACEA.
Some 91,400 fewer EVs – or a 1% reduction in market share – were sold in the EU in 2024 compared with the year before.
The slump is tied to the withdrawal of EV subsidies in key markets, as governments across the EU tighten their belts.
Germany’s ministry for the economy and climate cut its €4500 (£3800) grant for EVs in December 2023, and EVs’ share of the nation’s new car market fell from 18.4% that year to just 13.5% in 2024.
In November 2024, France's government slashed its EV grant from a maximum of €7000 to €4000 (£5900 to £3400) and completely axed it for 2025. The following month, electric car sales in the nation fell by 20.7% compared with a year prior.
EVs weren't alone in losing market share in the EU, however.
Petrol cars fell from a 35.3% share in 2023 to 33.3% in 2024 – enough to remain the market leader but only just. Diesel cars fell from 13.6% of the market to 11.9%. Plug-in hybrids fell from 7.7% to 7.1%.
The only powertrain whose share grew was the regular hybrid, which rose from 25.8% to 30.9%.
That meant the hybrid was the second-most popular choice of powertrain in the EU last year.
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