Data point: electric car market share in Europe, 2015-20

September 9th 2021 marked World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day, when business and policy leaders and EV enthusiasts from around the world took part in digital campaigns to raise awareness on e-mobility and promote EVs as a central part of sustainable transport.

The transition to EVs is an essential step on the path to decarbonise the economy. In July 2021 the EU declared that it would cut at least 55% of its carbon emissions by 2030. This is a significant revision of the previous target of 40% by 2030, and it pushes the EU closer to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal. 

Such an ambitious goal will require fundamental changes in many sectors, most notably the automotive industry. Passenger cars and vans account for around 14.5% of all EU carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, many European countries have been leading the way towards sustainable transport.

According to the International Energy Agency, the market share of electric cars in Europe rose from 1.2%in 2016 to 10% in 2020. This means that for the first time Europe has the highest electric-car market share in the world, with China and the US behind at 5.7% and 2% in 2020 respectively. 

Norway leads the group, with 54% of its new sales in 2020 being fully battery-powered, according to the Norwegian Road Federation. Norway’s significant tax incentives for EVs helped make it the first country in the world where EV sales are greater than the combined sales of petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

The UK and other European countries are following the example of Norway by adopting ambitious policies to phase out and outright ban non-electric cars by 2030. Capital cities such as Paris and Amsterdam are following suit, and countries like Ireland and Norway have agreed to place bans on new diesel and petrol vehicles.