The market share of electric cars in Europe will rise to 10 percent this year and to 15 percent in 2021, predicts the European environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E). This increase would mainly be due to the strict European emissions standard that manufacturers must meet from this year. However, according to T&E, more ambitious goals should already be looked at.
The strict emission standard of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer seems to be bearing fruit. From this year, 95 percent of a brand’s model range may on average not emit more CO2 than that 95 grams, in 2021 this will apply to the entire range. If a manufacturer does not meet this standard, a large fine will follow. Reason enough, therefore, to fully commit to the development and marketing of EVs. Manufacturers market both plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars to reduce emissions. “Thanks to the EU emissions standard, sales of electric cars are increasing enormously,” says Julia Poliscanova, director of clean vehicles at T&E. “Next year, one in seven cars sold in Europe will be electric.”
According to T & E’s analysis, PSA, Volvo, FCA-Tesla (who are together in a ‘CO2 pool’) and BMW already meet the CO2 standard. Renault, Nissan, Toyota-Mazda and Ford still have to close a gap of 2 grams. Volkswagen is 5 grams above, but will probably achieve the target through a collaboration with MG. Jaguar-Land Rover is furthest from the norm with a deviation of 13 grams. Still, there is probably not much to worry about there, because EU rules require manufacturers who make heavier cars to be less stringent. Poliscanova is against this. “The electric car is finally becoming mainstream in Europe, but sales of SUVs are still growing,” she says. The T&E report shows that SUV sales grew by 39% in the first half of 2020.
Not ambitious enough
The fact that the EV is gaining market share in Europe has already been shown in a report by the ACEA. After 2021, no concrete target will be set for manufacturers when it comes to CO2 reduction. In the view of T&E this is necessary to increase the share of EVs more quickly. In addition, the institute wants the EU to also restrict the sale of plug-ins from 2035, or as Poliscanova calls them: ‘fake electric cars’. “The only way to silence high-emission vehicles is to give car manufacturers a clear end date now. Cars running on biofuels, fake electric motors or fossil fuels emit CO2 and must be banned from the market after 2035,” “says the closing statement of T&E.