Sales of new EVs in the US have outpaced Europe for the first time ever according to data from New AutoMotive’s Global Electric Vehicle Tracker (GEVT).

The US saw a record-breaking sales figure of 344,000 throughout Q3, and over 1.05 million EVs were sold globally in September. The figure represents 18.6 per cent of total market share, and taking the number of EVs sold in the year to September 2024 up to 10.6 million.

The UK had an exceptionally strong month for EV sales, registering more than 10,000 additional sales compared with September 2023 and putting the country on course to be the fourth largest EV market in the world.

Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal also saw their EV sales rise more than 30 per cent on September last year. In the same period, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands and Spain saw sales jump 50 per cent.

But Germany, hindered by the chaotic withdrawal of national subsidies at the beginning of the year, saw EV sales increase on September 2023 levels by only 8.7 per cent.

Tesla managed to maintain its grip on the European market, with sales in the 12 months to September more than 50 per cent higher than BMW and Volkswagen, but in China BYD outsold Tesla by almost two to one.

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: “Europe risks falling behind in the global race to electrify transport as sales growth lags behind the US, and European policymakers contemplate calls to abandon long-established emissions rules. The only question is whether Europe wants a slow and painful transition or to hold course and attract jobs, growth and investment in new clean vehicle manufacturing, and cheaper transport for all.”

---