The market research firm Rho Motion reported that global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increased by 13% in June compared to the same month in 2023. The growth was primarily driven by China, where sales rose significantly, while Europe experienced a decline in sales, according to Rho Motion.
China accounted for over 60% of the total sales, with a notable increase in the domestic market share of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the first half of the year, attributed to the availability of electric vehicles and strong sales by BYD, as stated by Rho Motion data manager Charles Lester.
Worldwide PHEV sales in July totaled 1.4 million, with China leading at 0.86 million units, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. Conversely, European monthly sales decreased by 7% to 0.30 million, with countries like Finland, Ireland, and the Netherlands witnessing declines, while Italy saw a 34% growth due to government incentives.
In the United States and Canada, PHEV sales saw a 6% increase to 0.14 million units in June. Additionally, BYD experienced a surge in sales in Brazil, contributing to a more than tripled sales figure compared to June 2023, as noted by Lester.
The demand for electric cars has slightly cooled in recent months after a period of significant growth, as consumers await more affordable models and opt for hybrid alternatives.
