MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Slackened EV Demand Slashes European Car Sales

August decline is the steepest in more than seven years as consumers grapple with various roadblocks to adoption.

September 19, 2024
Slackened EV Demand Slashes European Car Sales

Data provider cites higher sticker prices, low residual value, and confusion over incentives for lower EV demand.

Credit:

Pexels/Antonio Conte

1 min to read


Demand for electric vehicles fell to a seven-year low in August, pushing down overall new-vehicle sales to the lowest level in more than two years.

Registrations of battery-electric vehicles, or purely electric models, fell 36% year-over-year to 125,000 units, according to Jato Dynamics, which gathered sales data for 28 markets on the continent. That’s the biggest decline in the segment since EV registration recording started in January 2017, according to the company.

The decline brought down EVs’ European market share from about 22% to 17% year-over-year, Jato Dynamics said, and also cut overall new-vehicle sales by 16% year-over-year to about 900,000 units, the steepest decline since June 2022.

“Buyers are still grappling with the pressure to make the switch to electric, and EVs continue to be more expensive than already-pricey combustion engine cars,” said Jato Global Analyst Felipe Munoz in a press release on the monthly results.

Year to date, new-vehicle registrations are up just about 2% year-over-year. “If this trend continues, the end-of-year results could present an overall decline in vehicle registrations,” Munoz said.

Reasons for lower EV demand are varied, but Jato cited higher sticker prices, low residual value, and confusion over incentives.

LEARN MORE: BMW App Gets ICE Owners Thinking About EVs

 

More Industry

Industryby Hannah MitchellJanuary 5, 2026

Late-Year Auto Sales Off

Purchases of new and used vehicles were down in December despite several positive market turns for consumers, whose optimism didn’t match their big-ticket spending.

Read More →
lineup of cars
Salesby Lauren LawrenceJanuary 5, 2026

Used-Car Prices Down in December

A Carfax index indicates that prices were higher than December 2024 but had been on a downward trend for the past few months.

Read More →
Vintage convertible driving along a desert highway, capturing the freedom and cultural impact of early American car travel.
IndustryJanuary 1, 2026

Driving America Forward

As America turns 250, explore how the automotive industry shaped jobs, culture, innovation, and mobility from Detroit assembly lines to today’s EV era.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellDecember 24, 2025

Top 10 F&I and Showroom Stories of 2025

The most-clicked posts ran the gamut from used-car sales outlook and a dealer group’s challenge to direct sales, to product sales guidance and the death of the FTC's CARS Rule.

Read More →
auto technician working on car
Industryby Lauren LawrenceDecember 22, 2025

New Initiative Addresses Technician Shortage

The ASE Connects program seeks to streamline collaboration between service shops, dealerships and schools to boost the U.S. workforce pipeline and share sector data.

Read More →
Awardsby Hannah MitchellDecember 17, 2025

Autos Take Flying Safety Colors

Twelve brands are awarded for protective features while others fail to place.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
electric vehicles charging at a station
Industryby Lauren LawrenceDecember 17, 2025

Gas Drivers Least Likely to Shop Electric

Non-EV drivers show a decreased interest in future EV buying, according to CDK.

Read More →
Industryby StaffDecember 16, 2025

Happy Holidays From BBM's Editors

Thank you to our audience for another year of loyalty and partnership.

Read More →
Industryby Hannah MitchellDecember 15, 2025

Toyota Hydrogen Cars Get Boost

The company is investing in more fueling spots, participating in home-country experiments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
electric vehicle charging on tan background
Salesby Lauren LawrenceDecember 15, 2025

U.S. EV Sales Increased in November

Following October’s steep drop, consumers showed renewed interest.

Read More →