THE number of plug-in cars – EVs and PHEVs – remains ahead of the Chinese market, according to the latest European Electric Car Report from Matthias Schmidt.
Schmidt says that it’s marginal, but significant that Europe is ahead of what has been the biggest EV market after eight months.
More than 53,000 pure electric BEV passenger cars were registered across Western Europe during July according to the report, boosted by generous subsidies – topped up in major markets France and Germany in response to the COVID-19 impact – while the UK market experienced a delayed delivery boost following changes to April’s benefit in kind taxation rates.
Author Schmidt believes that monthly plug-in volumes could surpass 100,000 units in September with deliveries of the new Volkswagen ID.3 due to boost registrations.
UK ICE ban to be implemented from 2030
According to The Guardian newspaper, the government is planning to bring forward its ban on ICE vehicles to 2030.
The paper says the announcement – following the recent consultation period – has been delayed as the government gets to grips with the latest COVID-19 outbreak.
MG joins Volkswagen Group’s CO2 pool
The European Electric Car Report has also revealed that MG – which is owned by China’s SAIC Motors – has joined the Volkswagen Group EU CO2 pool between 2020 – 2022.
Manufacturers are allowed to ‘pool’ CO2 in order to meet EU average CO2 emissions.
Author Schmidt said:
“At this moment it is unclear why Volkswagen Group and MG/SAIC have decided to join pools as Volkswagen Group was expected to be CO2 complaint this year.”
Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
