Indicator Specification
New registrations of electric vehicles in Europe
Rationale
Justification for indicator selection
Increasingly stringent regulations have resulted in the gradual introduction and promotion of more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles. New registrations of electric vehicles are an indirect indication of the level of improvement in road-transport fuel efficiency and pollutant emissions. The overall objective of this specific indicator is to monitor the penetration of electric vehicles in the market and, hence, to be able to estimate progress towards environmental targets.
In addition, form 2025, the number of zero- or low-emitting vehicles (ZLEV <50 g/km) will affect the calculation of the CO2 performance of car manufacturers (Regulation (EU) 2019/631). The specific CO2 emission target of a manufacturer will be relaxed if its share of ZLEVs registered in a given year exceeds the following benchmarks: 15 % ZLEVs from 2025 and 35 % ZLEVs from 2030. A one-percentage point exceedance of the ZLEV benchmark will increase the manufacturer’s CO2 target (in g CO2/km) by one percent. The target relaxation is capped at maximum 5 % to safeguard the environmental integrity of the Regulation.
Scientific references
Indicator definition
This indicator provides information on electric vehicle numbers, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of the total vehicle fleet. Two types of electric vehicle are included in the indicator: battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). BEVs are powered solely by an electric motor, using electricity stored in an on-board battery. The battery must be charged at a charging point connected to the local electricity grid. PHEVs are powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine designed to work either together or separately. The on-board battery can be charged from the grid and the combustion engine can support the electric motor when higher operating power is required or when battery charge is low.
Units
Number of vehicles
Policy context and targets
Context description
Transport represents almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and is the main cause of air pollution in cities. Since 2009, EU legislation has set mandatory emission targets for new cars and, since 2011, for new vans. These regulations have resulted in the gradual introduction and promotion of more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles. Currently, there are no specific objectives or targets related to the number of different types of alternative fuel vehicle as a proportion of the total vehicle fleet. Policy objectives are rather set with respect to the environmental performance of newly registered passenger cars and vans.
New registrations of alternative-fuel vehicles are an indirect indication of the level of improvement in road-transport fuel efficiency and pollutant emissions. The overall objective of this specific indicator is to monitor the penetration of electric vehicles in the market and, hence, to be able to estimate progress towards environmental targets.
Targets
No target sets until 2025.
The specific CO2 emission target of a manufacturer (Regulation (EU) 2019/631) will be relaxed if its share of zero or low emitting vehicles registered in a given year exceeds the 15% from 2025 on and 35% from 2030 on. Please see also indicator TERM017
Related policy documents
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Regulation (EU) 2019/631
Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 is setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 443/2009 and (EU) No 510/2011.
Key policy question
New registrations of electric vehicles in Europe, aggregated level assessment
Specific policy question
New registrations of electric vehicles in Europe, disaggregate level assessment
Methodology
Methodology for indicator calculation
The number of electric vehicles (BEVs and PHEVS) as a proportion of the total vehicle fleet for each vehicle type (passenger cars, light commercial vehicles) is calculated by dividing the number of electric vehicles by the total fleet for each vehicle type.
Methodology for gap filling
Data gap filling is not necessary
Methodology references
No methodology references available.
Data specifications
EEA data references
- Monitoring of CO2 emissions from passenger cars – Regulation (EU) 2019/631 provided by Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG-CLIMA)
Data sources in latest figures
Uncertainties
Methodology uncertainty
Not available.
Data sets uncertainty
No uncertainty in the dataset
Rationale uncertainty
Not available.
Further work
Short term work
Work specified here requires to be completed within 1 year from now.
Long term work
Work specified here will require more than 1 year (from now) to be completed.
General metadata
Responsibility and ownership
EEA Contact Info
Cinzia PastorelloOwnership
Identification
Frequency of updates
Classification
DPSIR: StateTypology: Descriptive indicator (Type A - What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/proportion-of-vehicle-fleet-meeting-5 or scan the QR code.
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