Running without petrol: Battery electric car sales in the UK and across Europe reached 152,968 units in May, down 11% on the previous year.
Sales of electric cars across Europe have fallen as drivers balk at high prices and poor charging infrastructure.
Sales of new battery electric cars in the UK and across Europe reached 152,968 units in May, down 11 per cent on the previous year.
The drop was driven by particularly weak demand in Germany, where sales fell by 30 percent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The Netherlands also reported a 12.5 percent drop last month.
Total new car sales fell 3 percent in May compared to the same period in 2023.
Enthusiasm around electric cars has cooled as concerns grow about the cost of the vehicles and the lack of chargers. Despite the overall decline in electric vehicle sales, France reported an increase of 44.8 percent.
It has maintained a generous subsidy scheme, offering financial support to drivers who opt to go electric.
The United Kingdom also enjoyed a 6.2 percent increase in May, with 26,031 fully electric vehicles registered.
However, the EU is concerned that Chinese companies such as BYD and Geely have flooded the market with cheap cars.
