A new study says 2024 marked a pivotal year as automakers worked to move EVs beyond early adopters and into the mainstream.
• Battery-electric vehicle sales rose across several major European markets, despite uneven consumer demand and high borrowing costs.
• Falling battery prices and broader model ranges are helping manufacturers introduce more affordable cars.
• The market remains sharply divided: premium EVs continue to perform strongly, while lower-income buyers face limited choices.
• Government incentives and stricter emissions rules are still driving adoption, but policy changes could affect momentum.
• Analysts say sustained growth will depend on cheaper vehicles, reliable charging networks and improved access to financing.
The record comes as automakers confront slowing growth in some countries and intense competition from Chinese manufacturers. Europe’s transition to electric transport is advancing, the study finds, but affordability will determine whether the latest sales gains become a lasting shift rather than a temporary peak.