While Europe has long been at the forefront of electric mobility, 2024 paints a more nuanced picture. Is the EV revolution in Europe hitting a speed bump? Or is this just a necessary pause before a new wave of growth?Let’s explore the state of the European EV market and the forces shaping its future.

A continent of Contrasts

In the first half of 2024, Europe registered 1.5 million EVs, a modest 1% growth compared to 2023. For a region that once led the world in EV adoption, this is a clear sign of slowdown.

Germany, the continent’s automotive giant, is dragging down the numbers. Its EV sales dropped by 9% in H1, and 37% in July alone. Why? A sudden cut in subsidies. Without incentives, adoption falters—no matter how advanced the industry.

Meanwhile:

• France and the UK show resilience with 8% and 13% growth.
• Italy surprised the market with 13,000 EVs sold in a single day, thanks to new incentives.
• Spain and Sweden are showing signs of fatigue, with shrinking sales and cautious consumers.

Is Europe losing its EV leadership? Or are we just between phases in a larger transformation?

Charging Ahead — But Where?

Infrastructure is the backbone of EV adoption. And here, Europe still shines—at least on paper.

There are now over 630,000 public EV charging points across the continent, with plans to cross the 1 million mark by 2025. Countries like the Netherlands, France, and Germany are leading the charge.

But is it enough? Accessibility remains unequal, fast chargers are still scarce on long routes, and rural areas are underserved. To help visualize the current status, all charging points are now available in a single interactive map—a tool that reveals gaps and opportunities alike.

Can Affordability Save the Market?

Let’s face it: EVs are still expensive. Most models exceed €35,000, and without subsidies, many consumers simply opt for hybrids or gasoline cars.

But hope is on the horizon. By the end of 2024 and into 2025, a wave of affordable EVs under €25,000 will hit the market. Models like the Renault 5, Volkswagen ID.2 All, Citroën ë-C3, and Fiat Panda could finally make EVs a viable option for middle-class families.

Will affordability and innovation revive Europe’s EV momentum?

Final Thoughts: Reinventing Competitiveness

Europe is at a crossroads. The next chapter of electric mobility will not only be written with batteries and incentives—it will be defined by cost-efficiency, local production, intelligent automation, and user confidence.

OEMs and suppliers must rethink how EVs are built, validated, and delivered.
Automation and quality control technologies—like those developed by EINES—will play a crucial role in reducing production costs and ensuring reliability across the supply chain.

Because while policies may change, precision and innovation remain constant.Stay tuned for the third part of our EV Market Series, where we’ll analyze the electric vehicle landscape in Asia, home of the world’s largest battery and EV manufacturers.

Did you miss the first blog in this series about the EV market in the USA? Read it here now