FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Slackened EV Demand Slashes European Car Sales

August decline is the steepest in more than seven years as consumers grapple with various roadblocks to adoption.

September 19, 2024
Slackened EV Demand Slashes European Car Sales

Data provider cites higher sticker prices, low residual value, and confusion over incentives for lower EV demand.

Credit:

Pexels/Antonio Conte

1 min to read


Demand for electric vehicles fell to a seven-year low in August, pushing down overall new-vehicle sales to the lowest level in more than two years.

Registrations of battery-electric vehicles, or purely electric models, fell 36% year-over-year to 125,000 units, according to Jato Dynamics, which gathered sales data for 28 markets on the continent. That’s the biggest decline in the segment since EV registration recording started in January 2017, according to the company.

Ad Loading...

The decline brought down EVs’ European market share from about 22% to 17% year-over-year, Jato Dynamics said, and also cut overall new-vehicle sales by 16% year-over-year to about 900,000 units, the steepest decline since June 2022.

“Buyers are still grappling with the pressure to make the switch to electric, and EVs continue to be more expensive than already-pricey combustion engine cars,” said Jato Global Analyst Felipe Munoz in a press release on the monthly results.

Year to date, new-vehicle registrations are up just about 2% year-over-year. “If this trend continues, the end-of-year results could present an overall decline in vehicle registrations,” Munoz said.

Reasons for lower EV demand are varied, but Jato cited higher sticker prices, low residual value, and confusion over incentives.

LEARN MORE: BMW App Gets ICE Owners Thinking About EVs

 

More Industry

Orange BMW with windshield wipers sticking up.
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 18, 2026

Inventory of New Units Stable

Auto brands spent April clearing out most of their 2025 supply with incentives while holding firm on 2026 prices, striking a balance to meet demand and protect their bottom lines.

Read More →
Car exhaust pipe blowing exhaust.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 18, 2026

Auto Trade Group Supports Emissions Delay

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation announced its support of a delayed timeline for federal emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles.

Read More →
interior car dashboard, infotainment system, showing rearview backup camera
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 13, 2026

Backup Cameras Causing Concern

Research has shown that the devices bring significant safety benefits, though many recalled U.S. units have yet to be repaired.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance

For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.

Read More →
Closeup photo of 'airbag' stamp on a car dash
Industryby Hannah MitchellMay 6, 2026

Air Bag Inspections Urged

ASE has issued guidance for service technicians to inspect units in vehicles they work on to ensure they’re not suspect air bags linked to deaths.

Read More →
aerial view of Fireside Honda in Ohio
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMay 6, 2026

Michigan Auto Group Acquires Ohio Rooftops

Feldman Automotive Group added two new brands, Honda and Toyota, to its portfolio with its latest acquisition of four Fireside dealerships in Ohio.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
BMW i Ventures Fund III $300 million
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMay 4, 2026

BMW Group Invests in AI

Its venture capital arm, BMW i Ventures’, third fund will focus on agentic and physical artificial intelligence, as well as sustainable industrial processes and materials.

Read More →
Jim Pernas and Todd Lawrence
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 29, 2026

Subaru Exec Retires, Role Evolves

Subaru of America is revamping its fixed operations department to emphasize the automaker’s commitment to enhancing customer ownership experience.

Read More →
road winding through redwood trees, California EV Market Cools, F&I and Showroom logo
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceApril 22, 2026

California Holds EV Lead Despite Annual Decline

At nearly 14%, California had the lowest zero-emission vehicle market share in the first quarter since the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the California New Car Dealers Association.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Portrait of Todd Sands with Brown & Brown branding, announcing his appointment as chief revenue officer and vice president of alternative markets.
Industryby StaffApril 20, 2026

Brown & Brown Appoints Executive

The new chief revenue officer joins the company from one of its partner firms and is an industry thought leader in participation programs.

Read More →