Hybrid electric vehicles grab a quarter of the EU passenger car market

Electrification of the European passenger car market continues without losing progress as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) grabbed 25.1% of the market in the first quarter of 2022, totalling a sale number of 563,030 units. 

According to the most recent figures released by Acea, all-electric vehicles almost doubled their market share on a year-on-year basis, surpassing plug-in-hybrids. At the same time, fossil-fueled cars dominated the market despite losing more ground. The preliminary figures for the European passenger car market in Q1 2022 appear as below: 

• Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 10%, almost doubling compared to the same period of last year. 
• HEVs increased their share to 25.1%, from 20.9% in Q1 2021.
• Plug-in-hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) snatched 8.9% of the market, falling behind all-electric cars. 
• Petrol and diesel-fueled cars represent 52.8% of the market, with the former at 36% and the latter at 16.8%. 

Rise of alternative powertrains (APVs)

The striking jump in the sales of BEVs appears as a testament to Europe's commitment to electrification, as all-electric vehicle sales increased by 53.4 in Europe, reaching a total unit of 224,145 cars. Romania witnessed an impressive 408% increase in BEV sales, while Spain followed with 110.3%. France and Germany also kept up the positive trend by 42.7% and 29.3%. On the other hand, Italy appeared as the only country where BEV sales dropped by 14.9%. 

PHEVs also stayed strong, increasing the overall market share despite a 5.3% shrink in sales across Europe, accounting for 199,107 unit sales. France and Germany lost interest in PHEVs, sales declining 13.2% and 6.1%, respectively. In contrast, Spain and Italy favoured this segment, with 46.3% and 18.9% increase in sales, respectively. 

Market share of HEVs increased 5.3% from January to March, totalling 563,030 cars, only witnessing a 6.3% fall in Italy while rising in other major European markets. 

The decline of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) continued, with a remarkable 56% fall (only 6,289 units sold), while LPG-fuelled cars made a 48.6% jump, most significantly in Germany with 287.7%. 

Fossil fuel continues to drop sharply

The downward shift of petrol and diesel cars continued in Europe, diesel facing a sharp decline of 33.2% in sales (378,009 units) and losing 5.3% market share. All four major European markets scored a fall in diesel between 20.2% and 44.1%. 

Petroleum passenger car sales reached 808,039 units in Q1 2022, losing its market share of 40.8% to 36%. 

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