The Italian auto market has been on a steady rebound after the economic crisis of 2008-2009, but electric vehicle (EV) sales have been lagging behind. In December 2020, total car sales in Italy saw a 4.1% increase compared to the same month the previous year, but EV sales dropped by 17%. It’s clear that something is holding back the growth of EVs in Italy. This blog post explores what’s preventing Italians from embracing electric cars and what needs to be done to make them more attractive to consumers. We’ll look at factors like government incentives, infrastructure development, public perception, and more – all playing a part in the success or failure of the EV market in Italy.
December sales of EVs in Italy slump
In December, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in Italy slumped while the overall auto market rebounded. This is according to data from the country’s main automotive trade association, Anfia.
In December, a total of 1,232 EVs were sold in Italy, down 31.8% from the same month last year. This was despite a strong overall market performance, with sales of new cars up 5.7% year-on-year to 222,294 units.
The decrease in EV sales can be attributed to a number of factors, including a lack of consumer confidence due to continued economic uncertainty and range anxiety amongst potential buyers. Additionally, government incentives for EV purchases have been reduced in recent months.
Despite the slump in December, sales of EVs in Italy have increased significantly over the course of 2017 as a whole. A total of 18,286 EVs were sold during the year, up from just 3,422 in 2016. This growth is likely to continue into 2018 as more models are launched and battery technology continues to improve.
Overall auto market rebounds
While electric vehicle (EV) sales in Italy took a dip in December, the overall auto market rebounded. According to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, total car sales in Italy increased by 3.4% in December compared to the same month last year.
However, EV sales did not fare as well, with a 14% decrease compared to December 2017. This is likely due to a number of factors, including a decrease in government incentives for EVs and range anxiety among consumers.
Despite the setback in December, EV sales in Italy are still up significantly from last year overall. In 2018, EV sales increased by 36% compared to 2017. With more and more choices available on the market and prices dropping, it’s likely that 2019 will be another strong year for EVs in Italy.
Reasons for the slump in EV sales
There are a variety of reasons that can be blamed for the slump in EV sales in Italy during December. Firstly, the overall auto market rebounded during the month, which meant that buyers had more options to choose from and weren’t as focused on EVs. Additionally, many potential EV buyers might have been waiting for the new year to make their purchase in order to take advantage of any government incentives that might become available. Another factor could be the cold weather; EVs tend to have shorter range in colder temperatures, which means that people living in areas with harsher winters may be less likely to buy one. Finally, there is still a general lack of awareness about EVs and how they work, which means that many people are simply not considering them as an option when they are looking for a new car.