Hybrid and electric-car registrations soared in Europe last month, seizing a record share of the market and lifting total sales to the highest in 10 months.
Registrations of plug-in hybrids more than quadrupled, while battery-electric vehicles more than doubled, according to car-market researcher Jato Dynamics.
Bloomberg newsagency reports total sales slipped just four per cent from a year ago to 1.28 million, the most since September.
“If the current situation continues to improve, we could start to talk about a ‘V’ shaped recovery in the European car industry,” Felipe Munoz, a global analyst for Jato Dynamics, wrote in a report.
EV demand is rising because of a wider selection of more affordable models and increased competition that is pushing down prices.
Record registrations of battery-powered cars give Europe a boost.
The figures are the most positive yet for an industry that had expected Europe to continue lagging the recoveries other regions have mustered following the coronavirus pandemic.
Car sales fell less drastically in the United States and have stated growing again in China.
Government subsidies in countries including Germany and France have kick-started sales, especially for electrified models.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-only vehicles were 18 per cent of registrations last month, up from 7.5 per cent a year ago.
Four of the five best-selling hybrids were Toyota models, while Renault’s Zoe dominated the electric segment.
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