EU demand for electric cars continues to fall, while sales collapse in France and Germany

Demand for electric cars across Europe is ‘continuously declining’ after a ‘spectacular’ drop in sales in Germany and France.

In the latest sign that the brakes have been applied to the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, figures showed that just 92,627 battery-only cars were registered in the European Union last month, down 44 percent on August last year.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), which published the figures, the decline was driven by a “spectacular drop” of 69 percent in Germany and 33 percent in France – the two largest markets for battery electric vehicles in the region.

“The electric car market is now in a continuous decline,” the group said. “A continued trend of declining market share for battery electric cars in the EU sends a very worrying signal.”

Car manufacturers now face fines of billions of euros if they fail to meet new targets designed to boost the uptake of electric vehicles and thus reduce CO2 emissions.

Manufacturers also face the prospect of fines in the UK for missing draconian green targets. The threat comes amid a growing backlash against EVs from motorists.

Auto Trader has warned that the high price of battery-powered cars is putting off British drivers.

The online marketplace found that nine out of 10 British drivers would refuse to pay more for an electric car than a petrol one, with 65 per cent saying they would budget just £20,000 for their next vehicle.

The average price of a new battery-only vehicle is 31 per cent higher than a petrol or diesel model, at £51,000.

Due to lack of demand, major automakers have suspended production of new battery-powered models.

US giant Ford last month scrapped plans to produce a new electric SUV due to a crowded market and weak consumer demand.

And in June, Stellantis, formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA, owner of Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall, threatened to close its factories in Ellesmere Port and Luton because of the UK government’s quota for zero-emission vehicles.

In the EU, ACEA has pushed for a postponement of ambitious green targets.

The company said failure to meet targets that come into effect next year and the 2035 deadline for ending production of petrol and diesel cars would lead to “the terrifying prospect of billions of euros in fines or unnecessary production cuts and job losses”.