The Netherlands still in the plus
Plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, are often seen as an interim solution in the transition to an electric vehicle fleet. This theory is underlined by the European sales figures, because the plug-in has already started the decline there.
Figures from the European car industry association ACEA show that in the first half of 2022, 12 percent fewer PHEVs were sold in Europe than in the same period last year. We do not take together the figure for the EU, but for the EU, the EFTA countries and the United Kingdom. Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland are therefore also included. The decline is particularly visible in the largest markets in that zone, namely France and Germany. French car buyers were 12.5 percent less likely to be tempted by a plug-in, in Germany the decrease is even 15.1 percent.
In Scandinavia, too, the PHEV seems to have finally come to an end. Sweden records a drop of 24.6 percent, Denmark 31.8 percent and in ‘EV country’ Norway PHEV sales even fell by 70 percent.
The reason can be guessed: car buyers in those countries are more likely to switch to a fully electric car. In the same expanded European region, EV sales increased by a staggering 31.6 percent. Germany (plus 12.5) and France (plus 28.7 percent) again contribute significantly to this.
The countries in which the PHEV sees its share decrease, are roughly also the countries where electric driving has become somewhat more normal in general. Further to Eastern and Southern Europe, we often see the PHEV share growing, which may have to do with a still very poor charging infrastructure and simply getting used to it.
In addition, the tax situation naturally plays a role, which may explain why the PHEV (bpm) is still popular in the Netherlands. With 15,926 units, 17.6 percent more plug-in hybrids were sold here in 2022 than last year. Conversely, an important subsidy was canceled in Germany, which undoubtedly partly explains the decrease. Also in Belgium, the PHEV is still on a small advance, with a plus of 14.9 percent. In absolute numbers, even more plug-ins were sold there, with 26,160 pieces.
As always, the theme of ‘shortages’ should also be mentioned in this report on sales figures. Sales figures in the year 2022 also have everything to do with availability, and PHEVs were and are not easy to get everywhere. Nevertheless, a clear trend is emerging, in favor of the equally difficult to obtain EVs and to the disadvantage of the once useful PHEV for achieving CO2 targets.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl