Brussels, 28 October 2016 – In the third quarter of 2016, demand for alternative fuel vehicles in the EU grew (+7.0%), totalling 137,423 units.
In the third quarter of 2016, demand for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) in the EU grew (+7.0%), totalling 137,423 units. Results were diverse among different vehicle categories. On the one hand, registrations of both new electrically chargeable (ECV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) continued their positive momentum, posting double-digit percentage gains during the last quarter (+20.2% and +29.2% respectively). Growth in the ECV segment was particularly supported by plug-in electric cars (+26.4%), which represent more than half of total ECV registrations. On the other hand, demand for cars powered by propane, ethanol or natural gas (NGV) fell by 26.2% to 34,384 units during Q3 2016, following the trend of the first and second quarter. The main reason for this has been a contraction of the Italian market, which accounts for the majority of these vehicles.
Among the EU’s major markets, Spain (+44.8%), Germany (+33.9%) and the UK (+30.5%) recorded substantial increases in AFV registrations over the last quarter. Growth in these countries was fully driven by demand for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Italy performed less well compared to Q3 2015 (-17.2%), due to a sharp decline in registrations of propane and gas-fuelled cars, which where only partly offset by increases in the electric (+46.6%) and hybrid electric (+52.4%) segments. France showed a modest decline (-10.9%) in total AFV registrations, mainly due to a drop in HEV and LPG sales. France, however, still accounted for the second largest number of HEV registrations (10,070) after the United Kingdom.
Among the EU+EFTA countries, Norway maintained its leading position with the largest number of ECV registered over the period: 11,287 units, up 44.1% compared to Q3 2015.