In the first six months of this year, European electric vehicle registrations increased by 33%, compared with 54% growth in the same period last year. As the EU's largest auto market, Germany's strong demand did not offset the weak growth of the UK market.
Due to limited mileage and inadequate charging network, the growth rate of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe in the first half of this year has slowed down.
Consulting firm Ernst & Young (ey) said on Tuesday that from January to June this year, European electric vehicle registrations increased by 33%, compared with 54% growth in the same period last year. As the EU's largest auto market, Germany's strong Demand did not offset the weak growth in the UK market.
Ernst & Young partner Peterfuss said in a statement: 'Electric vehicles are still a niche product. The charging infrastructure is still not perfect, and most of the existing charging networks are unable to provide longer mileage.'
European automakers are under pressure to comply with the EU's stringent new regulations on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. These regulations will be implemented gradually in 2020.
At present, consumers are holding a wait-and-see attitude toward electric vehicles, and they prefer gasoline vehicles to diesel vehicles. This is mainly because the public believes that diesel vehicles will emit toxic vehicles. However, this will increase the number of cars such as Daimler and Fiat-Chrysler. Manufacturers' risk, if they exceed the new carbon dioxide ceiling, will face high fines. Diesel vehicles emit less than one-fifth of the carbon dioxide equivalent of an equivalent gasoline vehicle.
In the first half of this year, demand for diesel in the larger automotive market in the EU fell sharply, as consumers worried that the government would impose a driving ban. At the same time, sales of gasoline vehicles increased by 16%.
Automakers such as BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen will launch a series of new electric products in the next few years, such as the BMW ix3 sports utility vehicle, Volkswagen i. d. series, etc.
'The sales of electric cars will change in the medium term,' said Peter Fass. 'From the luxury car market, electric cars will become a serious choice.'
