Electric cars are gaining ground in Europe. The charging network is growing too, though the figures need careful interpretation. Meanwhile, the industry is calling for smaller vehicles to feature in urban mobility plans.
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More than one in five new EU cars is fully electric
Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of new EU car registrations from January to August, compared with 15.8% in the same period last year, according to the latest ACEA figures. Non-plug-in hybrids remained the largest category at 36.6%.
The figures show a clear shift in the new-car market. They do not tell us how many cars already on the road are electric, or which powertrain will cost you least. If you are considering a different car, factor in your own driving needs and charging options.
More public charging points, but no proof that provision is falling behind
Provisional EAFO figures put the EU’s public charging network at around 1.16 million points in August, up 13.6% on a year earlier. Separately, EAFO reports a 50.8% year-on-year increase in new battery-electric registrations in August across thirteen reporting EU countries.
These percentages measure different things: new vehicles registered in one month across thirteen countries, versus the total stock of charging points across the EU, measured over a year. They do not establish that charging provision is falling behind.
For drivers, the local picture matters most: can you charge near home, at work and along your routes? The European total does not answer that question.
ACEM to present guide on smaller vehicles in urban mobility plans
According to the exhibition programme, industry association ACEM will present a guide at Connecting Europe Days on including L-category vehicles in urban mobility plans. This category covers mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles.
This is an industry contribution to urban planning, not a new European policy decision. The presentation does not mean municipalities have already introduced new access or parking rules.