popular articles

A bumpy road ahead for electric cars in Europe

As the EU prepares to ban combustion-powered cars by 2035, sales of electric vehicles are showing signs of slowing, raising concerns.
Défis véhicules électriques Europe

Please share:

Europe is at a turning point in the adoption of electric vehicles. With EU legislation to ban the sale of new combustion-powered cars by 2035, the European automotive industry, led by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), is under pressure to speed up the transition to zero-emission vehicles. However, recent months have seen a noticeable slowdown, particularly in Germany, Europe’s largest market, where “the market share of electrics has fallen to 12% or less, compared with 14.6% last year,” according to ACEA Secretary General Sigrid de Vries.

Resistance and market realities

Change isn’t easy. Less than 30% of Europeans say they are ready to buy an electric vehicle, and “more than half rule out spending more than 35,000 euros on a car,” a threshold above which most electric models are positioned. Faced with these challenges, Sigrid de Vries emphasized at an electric car conference in Lillestrøm, near Oslo, that “the 2035 deadline is really tomorrow, especially when we’re talking about production cycles. We only have ten years to go from 15% (of clean vehicles) to 100%.”

The Norwegian model

In Norway, an example often cited for its successful model thanks to very favorable taxes, electric vehicles, driven by carmaker Tesla, accounted for 90% of new registrations in the first quarter. Other manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Volvo, have already stopped selling their internal combustion models there. Guillaume Pelletreau, Nissan’s Regional Vice President for Electrification and Connected Services, remains optimistic despite the market’s ups and downs: “It’s a rollercoaster ride, and it always will be. The electrification wave got off to an extremely strong start in the last two years, and today we’re starting to normalize the process a little. Despite everything, we can clearly see the upward trend.”

Infrastructure and regulatory challenges

However, recharging infrastructure, which is essential to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, poses a problem. More than half of all charging points are concentrated in just two countries, Germany and the Netherlands, according to ACEA. In Spain, where motorists renew their cars every 14 years on average and 65% of them park on the street, home recharging is complex. Isabel Gorgoso, Director of New Mobility at energy group Cepsa, compares Spain to “Norway ten years ago.”

These challenges and opportunities are shaping Europe’s complex journey towards sustainable mobility. The commitment of governments and industry, combined with public acceptance, will play a crucial role in achieving the EU’s climate goals.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

In 2024, electric car sales dropped by 27%, reflecting the impact of subsidy cuts and regulatory pressures in a Germany seeking solutions to revive its automotive industry.
The UK automobile market achieved 19.6% electric vehicle sales in 2024, falling short of the 22% target set by the government, raising regulatory and strategic challenges for industry players.
The UK automobile market achieved 19.6% electric vehicle sales in 2024, falling short of the 22% target set by the government, raising regulatory and strategic challenges for industry players.
In Freetown, James Samba, a 23-year-old student, is developing an electric tricycle made from recycled materials to reduce pollution in a country where 1,200 air-quality-related deaths were recorded in 2021.
In Freetown, James Samba, a 23-year-old student, is developing an electric tricycle made from recycled materials to reduce pollution in a country where 1,200 air-quality-related deaths were recorded in 2021.
In China, Huawei accelerates the integration of intelligent technologies in electric vehicles, meeting rising demand and supporting a 20% sales increase in 2024.
In China, Huawei accelerates the integration of intelligent technologies in electric vehicles, meeting rising demand and supporting a 20% sales increase in 2024.
Stellantis and CATL join forces to build a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Scheduled for 2026, this initiative aims for a 50 GWh capacity and supports Europe’s energy transition.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for a European subsidy to boost the purchase of electric vehicles, addressing Germany's industrial crisis and rising Chinese competition. A solution inspired by the French model may be considered.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for a European subsidy to boost the purchase of electric vehicles, addressing Germany's industrial crisis and rising Chinese competition. A solution inspired by the French model may be considered.
ACC launches the production of electric batteries in France, marking a major milestone in the European automotive industry as it seeks to counter Asian dominance. A closer look at the challenges and ambitions of this industrial project.
ACC launches the production of electric batteries in France, marking a major milestone in the European automotive industry as it seeks to counter Asian dominance. A closer look at the challenges and ambitions of this industrial project.
Air France-KLM ranks at the top of the global aviation sector for integrating sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), according to a report published by the think tank Transport & Environment.
Air France-KLM ranks at the top of the global aviation sector for integrating sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), according to a report published by the think tank Transport & Environment.
With over 150,000 public charging stations installed, France is witnessing rapid growth in the sector, marking a decisive step toward its climate goals and energy transition.
Aura Aero, a young French aerospace company, is preparing its first test flights for the electric plane "Integral E," marking a new step in sustainable aviation.
Aura Aero, a young French aerospace company, is preparing its first test flights for the electric plane "Integral E," marking a new step in sustainable aviation.
British automotive manufacturers anticipate missing the 2024 electric vehicle sales targets set by the government and request fiscal incentives to overcome challenges and avoid penalties.
British automotive manufacturers anticipate missing the 2024 electric vehicle sales targets set by the government and request fiscal incentives to overcome challenges and avoid penalties.
The rise of electric vehicles and driver assistance systems will redefine the automotive repair market. Despite a decline in conventional interventions, the sector's sales are set to increase slightly between now and 2030.
The rise of electric vehicles and driver assistance systems will redefine the automotive repair market. Despite a decline in conventional interventions, the sector's sales are set to increase slightly between now and 2030.
China opposes US ban on Chinese automotive technologies. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce expresses its firm opposition to the United States Department of Commerce's plan to ban connected vehicles equipped with Chinese technologies in the United States, denouncing it as a protectionist measure contrary to free market principles.
Stellantis introduces the Leapmotor T03, a Chinese electric model assembled in Poland, targeting the entry-level market in Europe with a competitive price and 265 kilometers of range.
Stellantis introduces the Leapmotor T03, a Chinese electric model assembled in Poland, targeting the entry-level market in Europe with a competitive price and 265 kilometers of range.
Qair and Trapil join forces to develop the distribution of electromolecules in France and abroad, with the aim of supporting the decarbonization of the air and sea transport sectors.
Qair and Trapil join forces to develop the distribution of electromolecules in France and abroad, with the aim of supporting the decarbonization of the air and sea transport sectors.
Norway stands out for its lead in automotive electrification, with over 754,000 electric vehicles registered. This historic turning point raises questions about the sustainability of this transition and the challenges ahead to maintain this momentum.
Norway stands out for its lead in automotive electrification, with over 754,000 electric vehicles registered. This historic turning point raises questions about the sustainability of this transition and the challenges ahead to maintain this momentum.
Electric mobility in France is progressing, supported by Enedis studies on recharging behavior. Despite high user satisfaction, challenges remain, notably vehicle autonomy and the optimization of charging infrastructures.
Brookfield is investing up to USD 1.1 billion in Infinium, aimed at increasing the availability of sustainable fuels for aviation and heavy industry, marking a significant step forward for alternative energies.
Brookfield is investing up to USD 1.1 billion in Infinium, aimed at increasing the availability of sustainable fuels for aviation and heavy industry, marking a significant step forward for alternative energies.
BMW has announced mass production of its first hydrogen-powered car for 2028, in collaboration with Toyota, despite the infrastructure and cost challenges associated with this niche technology.
BMW has announced mass production of its first hydrogen-powered car for 2028, in collaboration with Toyota, despite the infrastructure and cost challenges associated with this niche technology.
Volvo Cars is lowering its target for 100% electric sales by 2030, due to delays in the development of charging infrastructure and regulatory changes.
Volvo Cars is lowering its target for 100% electric sales by 2030, due to delays in the development of charging infrastructure and regulatory changes.
Chinese automaker BYD reports a 24.4% increase in half-year net profit, driven by sustained domestic demand and a strategy of international expansion.
The cost of recharging at ultra-fast charging stations remains unpredictable, creating a significant barrier to the progression of electric vehicles, despite the rapid expansion of infrastructure.
The cost of recharging at ultra-fast charging stations remains unpredictable, creating a significant barrier to the progression of electric vehicles, despite the rapid expansion of infrastructure.
Oakland becomes the first school district in the USA to adopt a fleet of 100% electric buses, incorporating V2G technology, with direct implications for the local energy infrastructure.
Oakland becomes the first school district in the USA to adopt a fleet of 100% electric buses, incorporating V2G technology, with direct implications for the local energy infrastructure.
Kerosene reserves in Colombia are dwindling, prompting operational adjustments at several airports and increased surveillance of the aviation sector.
Kerosene reserves in Colombia are dwindling, prompting operational adjustments at several airports and increased surveillance of the aviation sector.

Advertising