European EV sales hit record

BERLIN: Europe's uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, with record sales so far this year driven by a slew of affordable models coming onto the market to bring carmakers in line with European Union (EU) targets, according to a study.

EV sales across the EU reached record volumes this year, with 1.64 million sold in the January-to-August period, up 45 per cent year-on-year, Brussels-based environmental advocacy group Transport & Environment found in its EV progress report published yesterday.

EVs made up 22 per cent of the market during this period, six points higher than the same period last year, according to the report.

T&E called 2026 "a pivotal year for EV availability", with model choice up 50 per cent in a single year, as carmakers expand their line-ups to meet EU emissions targets.

The report comes as carmakers like Volkswagen AG roll out a number of affordable EVs, such as the all-electric Polo, helping the German auto group to close its existing compliance gap and avoid fines.

European carmakers dominated the EV offering with nearly 60 per cent of available models, adding 16 in the first half. Chinese carmakers held 21 per cent and added 11 models.

The study noted the impact of rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict on drivers of combustion-engine cars. Diesel has risen the most, up 38 per cent since the Iran war began, with a 50-litre tank now costing 30 euro more, it said.