While Donald Trump has frequently criticized renewable energy and European policies in this regard, figures suggest that the US-Israeli war against Iran is accelerating the move away from internal combustion engines. Norway leads the way with the highest rate of electric car sales, with 98% of all new cars sold in March being electric, followed by Denmark with 76% and Finland with almost 50%. The data covers 15 EU countries and the EFTA market.
Electric car sales surged 51% in Europe last month, as the cost of petrol and diesel soared due to the war with Iran. Data showed 224 new electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in March and nearly 500 in the first three months of the year, a 33.5% increase compared to the same period a year earlier, according to an analysis of sales data in 15 countries by the New Automotive and E-Mobility Europe organizations.
Buyer interest in electric cars has surged across Europe since the start of the Iran war in late February, as rising fuel prices have highlighted the benefits of cheaper electricity. While Donald Trump has frequently criticised renewable energy and European policies in this regard, figures suggest the US-Israeli war against Iran is accelerating the move away from internal combustion engines. Norway leads the way with the highest rate of electric car sales, with 98% of all new cars sold in March being electric, followed by Denmark with 76% and Finland with almost 50%. The data covers 15 EU and EFTA countries.
The Nordic countries have advanced faster in electrification, thanks to higher wages, generous subsidies and developed charging infrastructure. Last week, Swedish all-electric carmaker Polestar reported record sales of 60 vehicles last year.
Western carmakers had been pulling back from electric cars due to falling demand and reduced subsidies, but the war with Iran and rising fuel prices in recent weeks appear to have reversed this trend, boosting sales significantly in central and southern Europe as well. Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland all saw a 40% increase in electric car use in the first quarter of the year. Italy, one of the slowest EU countries to switch to electric cars, saw an annual increase of 65% in March, although its market share remains low, at just 8.6%, compared with 28% in France.
In France, the use of electric cars increased by 50% thanks to numerous government incentives. The government offers up to 5,700 euros for low-income families, up to 4,700 euros for middle-income families, and 3,500 euros for others.
France has also set up a social leasing scheme for families with incomes below 16,300 euros per person per year who have to commute at least 15 km to work, making the switch to electric cars more attractive, especially in rural areas. According to Chris Heron of E-Mobility Europe, the increase in electric car sales in March is one of the biggest recent victories for Europe’s energy security, reducing its dependence on oil by about 2 million barrels per year. Germany, facing competition from Chinese electric cars, recorded a 42% increase in EV sales in March. The German automotive industry association said that investment and restructuring are paying off, as every second electric car sold in Europe is now produced in Germany.