Sales of electric cars hit record with strong China demand

YemenExtra

New indications have appeared that the world is gradually developing an eager appetite for electric cars. Market figures show sales of electric vehicles surged to a record high in the third quarter, largely due to a strong demand in China. 

A report by Bloomberg showed that sales of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids exceeded 287,000 units in the three months ended in September. The figure was 63 percent higher than the same quarter a year ago and up 23 percent from the second quarter, the report added.

Figures also showed that China is outmaneuvering the U.S. and other countries in the global scramble for electric vehicles.  The country accounted for more than half of global sales as its market for electric cars doubled amid government efforts to curb pollution.

The market for electrified transport is starting to pick up speed as charging infrastructure becomes more accessible and manufacturers roll out models with longer driving ranges, Bloomberg added. In 2017, many established carmakers from Jaguar Land Rover to Volvo Cars announced plans to bring electric versions of their vehicles to market in the next few years.

Several governments have also announced targets for cleaner transport, some driven by the emissions-cheating scandal that engulfed Volkswagen AG. France and the UK said they will ban sales of new gasoline and diesel-burning cars by 2040, while the Netherlands is targeting that all new cars sold by 2030 will be emissions-free. China — the world’s largest auto market — is mulling its own ban, and even California is considering following suit.

Europe was the second-biggest market in the third quarter for electric vehicles, with 24 percent of sales, followed by North America. The rising volumes in China are supported by government incentives, Bloomberg added.