The Association of Automobile Manufacturers in Europe (ACEA) presented the results of the study "Making The Transition to Zero-Emission Mobility", a publication that identifies the reasons why the expansion of electric vehicles in the European Union is slow to accelerate.

 

The European Commission expects fully electric cars to account for 15% of total car sales by 2025 and 30% by 2030. However, there are still barriers to the expansion of electric cars in the European Union markets and ACEA distinguishes three points in its study: cost, availability of infrastructure and lack of investment. This study draws a parallel between the per capita GDP of the countries and the percentage that the electric ones assume in the markets of the different countries.

 

In countries where GDP per capita is less than € 18,000, the market share of electric vehicles is close to 0%. In half of the EU Member States, the percentage does not even exceed 0.75%. Currently, pure electric cars account for 1.5% of total car sales in the European Union.

 

The change of focus of the manufacturers will also influence the change in this scenario as well as the decisions that the European Parliament takes - importing the result of the CO2 emission targets that will be voted on the 10 th.

 

"The European Parliament should not lose sight of the fact that the market is essentially customer driven. A natural change for electric vehicles will simply not happen without regard to consumer accessibility, "says Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of ACEA.

 

The existence of infrastructures also has a notable impact. At this level, the study indicates that of the approximately 100,000 freight stations available across Europe, 76% are located in only four countries: Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In comparison, for example, in Romania, which is a country almost six times larger than the Netherlands, only 114 loading stations are available for the entire nation.

 

There has to be a notable investment to allow for an expansion of the electric ones. If this level of adherence is maintained, it will be impossible to achieve the objectives of the European Union. In 2017, electric cars accounted for only 0.7% of car sales in EU markets. At this rate, it means that in 2025 sales of electric cars will represent only 3.9% and, in 2030, 5.4% - far from the 15% and 30% targets, respectively.

 

"We are concerned that some politicians have totally unrealistic expectations regarding the pace of the market. Already to meet the Commission's current reference value we would have to jump from less than 1% of sales of electric cars to 30% in just 12 years. And Parliament is proposing even more aggressive targets, up to 50%, "Jonnaert warned.

 

There is, therefore, a great deal to be done in order for the European Union markets to achieve the established proportion of sales targets. This is a complex process involving distinct parties - consumers, manufacturers and the very policies enacted by the EU.

 

Source, Motor24.