HAMBURG: Widespread scepticism about electric cars seems to be giving way to more acceptance in Europe, where EVs outsold diesel cars in August for the first time.
According to data from 26 European markets, a total of 151,737 new electrics and hybrids were registered last month, an on-year increase of 61 per cent.
Total European electric car sales volume since January stood at 1.32 million units, said analyst Felipe Munoz. The figures were compiled by the JATO Dynamics automotive information service.
Sales of diesels are in the doldrums worldwide, partly due to the damage done by the Volkswagen Group's emissions scandal and a growing number of bans in urban areas.
Many makers have dropped diesel motors from their ranges although they remain popular with SUV buyers.
Experts say the electric car market is holding up well despite the disruption in automotive sales caused by the pandemic.
In Europe, demand was particularly strong for the electric versions of the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, Hyundai Kona, Opel Corsa, Kia Niro and VW's ID.3 which was Europe's top-selling EV during the month.
Overall, new car registrations in Europe last month fell by 18 per cent to 713,714 units, the lowest since the same month in 2014. This came amid a computer chip shortage which has slowed production and lengthened waiting lists.
Electric vehicle sales have surged in all three top car markets over the year, according to the global energy industry website power-technology.com.
Sales went up by 160 per cent in the first half of 2021 from a year earlier, to 2.6 million units. This represents 26 per cent of new sales in the global automotive market.
China is the world's top EV market, with 1.1 million vehicles sold in the first half, or 12 per cent of global sales. In the United States, EVs have found less favour. Just 250,000 units were sold, accounting for 3 per cent of sales.
