EV Registrations In Europe Surged +60% In 2014
Originally published on EV Obsession.
Electric vehicle registrations in Europe rose by more than 60.9% in 2014, as compared to 2013, according to recent figures.
Overall, 65,199 electric cars + commercial vehicles were registered in Europe during 2014 — representing a significant increase over the previous year, which saw 42,194 electric vehicles (EV) sold. Of those 65,199 EVs registered in 2014, more than half were in just two countries — Norway and France.
Of those two, Norway unsurprisingly took the top spot (with the top-notch incentives and awareness there, how could it not?), with 18,649 registrations in 2014 — roughly double 2013’s figures. So, what that means, is that more than 10% of all the vehicles sold in Norway in 2014 were EVs (again, not surprising, when some months saw 14% or 15% of sales going to EVs).
As stated before, France was the runner-up (despite being a far more populous country), with 15,046 EVs registered in 2014; followed by Germany with 8,804; and the UK with 7,370.
Considering that Norway is home to only ~5 million people; and France to ~66 million, Germany to ~80 million, and the UK to ~64 million; those numbers really show the disparity that can be caused by strong incentives (and a rather notably wealthier citizenry, of course…).
That said, the UK actually saw pretty good growth — with sales volumes roughly tripling in 2014, as compared to 2013.
As far as which manufacturers did the best, the answer isn’t exactly surprising — Nissan-Renault took the top easily with 14,385 Nissan LEAFs registered in 2014, and 10,980 Renault ZOEs. Tesla Motors did quite well, though — with 8,744 vehicles registered — despite production limitations. Following those three was the BMW i3 (with 5,620); and the Volkswagen e-up! (with 5,170).
The commercial market saw the Nissan e-NV200 and the Kangoo ZE land a good number of sales, as well.
2015 looks pretty likely to see continued growth in the portions of the European market that have been seeing growth in recent years. The relatively untapped portions, though, aren’t really showing any signs of awakening.
Images by (and a big thanks to) Avere-France
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Having the right incentives, as in Norway, and a larger selection, France, appears to really help with sales.
But as compared to ICE models, EV’s still have along way to go.
It is worth mentioning that the Norwegian autorities not give money to the buyers, but that we have such high taxes on car purchases and fuel (and no tax for electric vehicle). Other countries can do the same by changing the taxation from income tax to tax on car and fuel. Yes, Norway is a rich contry, but that not the main reason.
And total plugins sold in 2014 in Europe were a 100k. Let’s hope BEV’s can keep the same rate and reach 100k in Europe for 2015 and that PHEV’s finally will explode and get 100k too.
But a 200k total for 2015 is way optimistic. 150k would be great though and fairly realistic.
That’s amazing growth, and despite falling oil prices in the second half of 2014. I think anyone saying that low oil prices are anything more than a mild headwind to EV adoption need to look closer at the numbers. Oddly, and rather optimistically, the non-plug hybrids seem to take more of a hit from falling oil and gas. I think this builds a case for more mainstream type vehicles in the EV stable — family, luxury, minivan, pick up, SUV. The irony is that, as the power train capability continues to develop, these vehicles will have less structural limitations than an ICE — which is chained to fuel consumption. In essence, the EV and PHEV need not look like an economy car.
$50 oil doesn’t break down the economics of EVs. And now we have PHEVs coming in a very attractive price points such as the Mitshubishi Outlander http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/outlander/explore-phev.aspx
A friend who recently took in his Nissan Leaf for servicing and was given an ICE loaner commented how he never realised what a pain it was to have to fill your car at a petrol station.