Electric cars (BEV) should reach between 20-24 per cent market share in 2025, according to Transport & Environment (T&E) modelling based on sales in the first half of this year and sales forecasts.

The prediction comes as some major manufacturers are calling on the EU to trigger a special crisis clause to delay carbon targets by two years, citing fears over sluggish EV sales. The EU will require manufacturers to reduce the average CO2 emissions of their cars by 15 per cent, compared to 2021 levels by next year.

Lucien Mathieu, cars director at T&E, said: “2025 will be a great year for Europeans in the market for an electric car. BEVs should be almost a quarter of new cars sold thanks to a glut of new, more affordable models. But manufacturers' reliance on hybrids, which are reaching the limits of their CO2 saving potential, is a short-sighted strategy for the climate and competing with Chinese BEVs.”

In July, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the bloc’s zero-emissions cars target will go ahead in 2035, and reconfirmed this in September, but electric car sales have not met expectations, and some major manufacturers have called for a delay.

Why sales are not growing in some EU countries is a blame game. Manufacturers point to declining incentives from governments, especially in Germany where an electric car payment of up to €4.500 per car was ditched as it tried to balance its ongoing budget crisis., and poor infrastructure. Politicians cite a lack of will, vision and moribund practices.

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