The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) revealed that sales of 100% electric cars in Europe recorded a 9.8% increase in September compared to the same month in 2023, with 139,702 units sold, following several months of decline.
However, according to ACEA, the cumulative volume from January to September was 5.8% lower than in the same period last year, pressured by the decline in the German market.
“The numbers today show that we are still far from the thriving electric market that Europe needs,” commented ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries in a statement.
“We should be witnessing consistent and substantial monthly growth, especially at this crucial stage of this technology’s development,” she added. Sigrid de Vries also noted that “instead, the market share of electric cars for the year-to-date is nearly 1% lower than last year, while volumes remain nearly 6% lower.”
Meanwhile, the market for plug-in hybrid vehicles saw a decline (-22.3%) last month, with decreases recorded in all major markets. In September, plug-in hybrids accounted for 6.8% of the automotive market, down from 8.2% last year, with 54,889 units sold.
Registrations of electric hybrids grew in September, increasing by 12.5%. The market share is now 32.8%, up from 27.4% in September 2023, surpassing gasoline vehicle sales for the first time.
The ACEA data also indicates that gasoline vehicle sales fell by 17.9% in September, with all four major markets experiencing double-digit declines: France (-31.9%), Italy (-23.3%), Germany (-15.2%), and Spain (-10.7%). Gasoline cars now account for 29.8% of the market, down from 34% recorded in the same month last year.
On the other hand, diesel vehicle sales saw a decline of 23.5% in September, and the former king of fuels now represents only 10.4% of the market.
