Electric car share in the EU is increasing – but not in Austria
Demand for battery-powered vehicles within the EU also increased in the second quarter of this year. From April to June, electric cars accounted for 9.9 percent of all passenger car registrations – 2.4 percent more than in the same period last year. This was announced by the European industry association Acea on Wednesday.
In contrast to the two sales markets Spain and France, where there were double-digit growth rates, new registrations fell in only four EU countries – one of which is Austria. In Germany, 16.1 percent fewer electric cars were registered in the second quarter than in the previous year. In the first half of 2022, there was a 5.5 percent decline in new electric car registrations in Germany, while the EU as a whole recorded an increase of 28.4 percent.
companies are required
The Verkehrsclub Österreich (VCÖ) emphasizes that companies have a significant influence on new cars in the energy transition. According to Statistics Austria, two-thirds of new car registrations in 2021 were accounted for by companies and other legal entities. According to the VCÖ, company cars (such as taxis) that burn diesel or petrol should no longer be taxed systematically. “These benefits should only be reserved for zero-emission vehicles,” demands VCÖ spokesman Christian Gratzer.