The number of EVs sold in the EU grew by just 1.3% in the first half of 2024, but the increase in sales would be 9.4% if Germany is excluded, analysis by advocacy group Transport & Environment (T&E) shows.

The abrupt removal of purchase subsidies contributed to a 16.4% decrease in EV sales in Germany in the first half of 2024. A stable and supportive regulatory environment is key to avoiding stagnation and locking in investment, T&E said. It called on German lawmakers to follow Belgium’s company car policy, which sets attractive depreciation rates for electric cars and phases out depreciation for combustion engines. As a result, EV sales in Belgium increased by 48% in the first half of the year.

EV sales grew in the first half in markets with supportive regulatory environments. While the number of EV sales in the EU remained stable, the average EV share decreased slightly to 12.5% (from 12.9% in H1 2023), according to the analysis. However, in the rest of the EU (excluding Germany) EV market share increased to 12.5% (from 12.0% in H1 2023).

Lucien Mathieu, Cars Director at T&E, said: “Germany’s CDU lawmakers in Brussels should stop trying to weaken the EU’s 2035 target and instead actually promote electric vehicles.”

Source: Transport and Environment