This indicator provides information on electric vehicle numbers, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of total new vehicle registrations. 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.
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.
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.
Context description
Transport represents almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions. EU legislation sets mandatory emission targets for new cars and for new vans. This has resulted in the gradual improvement of the fuel-efficiency of vehicles, as well as a higher share of zero- and low-emissions vehicles, such as electric vehicles.
New registrations of electic vehicles are an indirect indication of the level of improvement in road-transport fuel efficiency. 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
- 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.
Methodology uncertainty
Not available.
Data sets uncertainty
No uncertainty in the dataset.
Rationale uncertainty
Not available.