France registered a record 5,402 plug-in cars in March, up 41% year over year (YoY). With all plug-in drivetrains working together (fully electric cars +40%, plug-in hybrids +45%), the plug-in market was pulled up to 10,892 units in 2018, up 17% YoY.
The European passenger plug-in market scored over 22,000 registrations in February 2018, growing 39% compared to the same period last year (YoY) and pulling the year-to-date count to almost 47,000, a 35% increase over the same period in 2017. The plug-in vehicle market now holds a 1.9% market share in Europe. Unfortunately, plug-in hybrids (+54% YoY) continue to outrun fully electric vehicles (+26%), thus increasing by two percentage points their lead over fully electric cars (55% vs 45%).
To lease or not to lease, that is the question. And it has been the question running in the minds of many carmakers as they ponder how to turn their gasoline car business model around to embrace the relatively low-maintenance electric vehicle (EV).
The French EV passenger car market saw some 3,100 registrations in February, up 12% year over year (YoY). However, the growth comes only from PHEVs (+115%), as BEVs (-14%) continue to sit in the red (-28% this year). Are buyers holding out for the new LEAF, the Tesla Model 3, and a new Zoe?
February had 1,058 registrations in February 2018, up 116% compared to February 2017, with fully electric cars (BEVs) making for the vast majority of the market (85%). The strong BEV month contributed decisively to the current 2.8% plug-in vehicle (PEV) market share, a good improvement over the 2.2% share of last year.
The search for cleaner and more efficient transportation has resulted in a multitude of solutions. Ways to make the internal combustion engine powertrain more efficient, replacing the fuel with alternate fuels like LPG and LNG, synthetic fuels to mix with the fossil fuels, and, ultimately, replacing the internal combustion engine (ICE) completely are all options on the table.
The all-electric Renault ZOE has underlined the significant financial and environmental benefits it offers businesses of all sizes by winning the Best SME Green Company Car category at the 2018 Business Car Manager awards.
The European passenger plug-in car market started the 2018 season with almost 26,000 registrations, growing 36% compared to the same period last year, a promising start that unfortunately is being made for the most part thanks to growth in plug-in hybrids (+44% year over year). In fact, plug-in hybrids now represent more than half (53%) of deliveries.
The newly unveiled 2018 Renault Zoe features a new electric motor, dubbed the R110, that will provide the model with higher power and increased acceleration, according to a new press release.
16 new Volksagen e-Golf sedans began patrolling the streets of Paris this past week. They are part of a one year experiment to determine the suitability of electric cars for the demands of police work.
