Skip to main content

Can flood of cheap new EVs coming to Europe save its carmakers?

Analysts argue 2024 is minor blip and that lobbying for relaxation of rules could harm industry in long term

Affordable new electric family cars – particularly those that are EU-made – have been tough to come by in Europe for the past few years. There were no launches of homegrown electric models for less than €25,000 (£20,740) across the EU during 2022 and 2023, according to the campaign group Transport & Environment.

Yet in the past few months that has changed, with a rush of new cars ranging from the Fiat Grande Panda to the Citroën ë-C3, the Hyundai Inster to the latest Dacia Spring and the Renault 5. Suddenly, buyers have options.

Continue reading...

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

German police crack down on illegal street car tuning as season begins

Enthusiasts gathering on Good Friday – renamed Carfreitag – face curbs on unauthorised tuning, illegal races and pollution Police in Germany have announced a crackdown on illegal racing and the unauthorised modification of cars as members of the so-called tuning scene meet across the country for the start of their annual season. The Good Friday holiday marking Christ’s death on the cross, called Karfreitag in German – from the Old High German word kara , meaning sorrow – is otherwise known by the extreme car enthusiasts as Carfreitag (car Friday) for its unofficial gathering of the “tuners” and “car posers”. Continue reading...

One in four cars sold in May in Australia was an EV or hybrid vehicle, data shows

Automative industry findings show Australians have purchased double the number of hybrid vehicles this year compared to the same period last year Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast Australian drivers bought a record number of new vehicles in May, with many choosing to reduce their fuel costs by choosing hybrid and electric models. Almost one in four new cars bought in Australia is a low-emission vehicle, as hybrid and electric models claim a bigger share of the market. But Australia’s love for large vehicles is still on the rise, with SUVs dominating and ute sales continuing to grow. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

Nissan open to making cars for Chinese partner in Sunderland, says CEO

Ivan Espinosa says UK plant will not be hit by cost cuts as Japanese firm reveals seven factories to close Business live – latest updates Nissan’s new chief executive has said the Japanese carmaker would be open to building cars for a Chinese partner at its factory in Sunderland as he confirmed it would not be closed in a round of deep cost cuts. This week Nissan revealed plans to close seven factories and cut 20,000 jobs after sustaining heavy losses. Continue reading...