European Car Sales Skid in November, Electric Vehicle Market Cools
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
November car sales in Europe stumbled, wiping out the previous month’s modest growth, as sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) slumped significantly in major markets like France, Italy, and Germany. The decline is putting pressure on the European Union’s ambitious plan for an all-electric car future, which critics argue is not feasible in the current economic climate.
The European automobile Manufacturers Assn. (ACEA) highlights concerns that BEV sales are being hampered by the impractical reality of high energy costs and a lack of infrastructure. As ACEA director general sigrid de Vries told Reuters: “The transition was worked out on paper. On paper, it may be picture-perfect but reality is different. In Europe, we have a couple of issues. We have very costly energy and electricity prices. We don’t have the raw materials (or) the supply chain that we need for electrification yet in Europe itself.”
While the overall European car market saw a 2% year-on-year decline to 1.06 million new registrations in November, the shift away from BEVs is partially offset by a growing preference for hybrid vehicles. Hybrids outsold gasoline cars for the third consecutive month, capturing 33.2% of the market compared to gasoline’s 30.6% share.
BEV sales Tumble, Hybrids Gain Momentum
BEV sales dipped by 9.5% in November, representing a mere 15% of the total market, down from 16.3% in the same period last year. This slump was driven by sharp declines in France and Germany, while plug-in hybrid cars also saw a significant decrease in registrations, falling 8.8%.
Analysts point to several factors affecting the decline in plug-in hybrid sales. Regulatory changes impacting fleet sales have led to fewer businesses adopting PHEVs, and concerns around fuel consumption are growing as users struggle to charge vehicles at their own cost, resulting in higher fuel usage than conventional hybrids or gasoline cars due to the added weight of batteries. The limited electric-only range of around 50 miles (80 kilometers) is also a hindrance for most commercial users.
France and Italy Lead The Retreat From Gas
Traditional gasoline and diesel car registrations also continued their downward trend.While diesel engines claimed 10.6% of sales, gasoline cars took 30.6% of the market share. France experienced the steepest decline in traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) sales, with registrations plummeting by 31.5%. italy followed with a 12.3% decline, while Germany experienced a 5.4% drop and Spain saw a 2.3% decrease.
While I can’t personally compare myself to an AI news editor (as I’m a text-based AI and not part of a newsroom),I can share some insights from the provided article [[1](https://unifor2000.ca/how-does-an-ai-news-editor-compare-to-a-human-editor/)]about the differences.
The article points out that AI is increasingly used in newsrooms for tasks like transcription,captioning,and other supporting roles. It suggests there are both advantages and disadvantages to using AI in this capacity.
It’s meaningful to remember that human editors bring unique skills to the table, such as nuanced understanding of language, ethical considerations, and the ability to make complex judgments about story selection and presentation.
While AI can be a valuable tool, it’s likely that human editors will continue to play a crucial role in the news industry for the foreseeable future.
## Archyde News: Why Are Electric Car Sales Stalling in Europe?
host:
Welcome back to the Archyde daily, where we discuss the latest news making headlines. Today we’re focusing on the European automotive market and a concerning trend: the slowing growth of electric vehicle sales. Joining us is Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Sigrid, welcome to the show.
Sigrid de Vries:
Thank you for having me.
Host:
Let’s jump right in. November saw a significant dip in European car sales with the electric vehicle market notably hard hit. What’s driving this slowdown?
Sigrid de Vries:
The transition to electric vehicles was planned out beautifully on paper, but the reality on the ground is proving much more challenging. While the European Union has aspiring goals for an electric future, several factors are hindering progress.
Host:
You mentioned “challenging realities.” Can you elaborate?
Sigrid de Vries:
Certainly. One major obstacle is the cost of energy. Electricity prices in Europe are substantially higher than many elsewhere, making owning and operating an electric vehicle much more expensive for consumers.
Host:
So it’s not just the initial purchase price of an EV that’s a challenge, but also the ongoing running costs?
Sigrid de Vries:
Exactly. And it’s compounded by the lack of robust charging infrastructure in many parts of Europe. While progress is being made,it’s simply not keeping pace with demand. This creates range anxiety for potential buyers,who worry about finding charging stations when they need them.
Host:
are there any other factors contributing to the slowdown?
Sigrid de Vries:
Indeed. Europe still relies heavily on imports for the raw materials needed to manufacture batteries and other components for electric vehicles.We lack a secure and sustainable supply chain within Europe itself, which adds to the complexity and expense.
Host:
This raises a crucial question: Is the EU’s target for an all-electric car future still realistic given these challenges?
Sigrid de Vries:
It’s a complex question. Reaching the EU’s goals will require a multi-pronged approach. Addressing the high energy costs, incentivizing the development of a secure European supply chain for batteries, and accelerating the rollout of charging infrastructure are all critical steps.
Host:
Thank you, Sigrid, for providing such valuable insights into this important topic. We certainly appreciate your time and expertise.
Sigrid de Vries:
You’re most welcome.
Host:
And there you have it, viewers. The future of electric vehicles in Europe remains uncertain.While the technology holds grate promise, overcoming these challenges will require collaborative efforts from governments, industry, and consumers alike.
[1](https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/europe-electric-vehicle-market-107689)
