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Europe's EV Landscape: Leaders, Laggards, and the Road to 2035

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. scape-leaders-laggards-and-the-road-to-2035.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 7:32 GMT by reuters.com

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Europe’s Electric‑Vehicle Landscape: Leaders, Laggards, and the Road Ahead

A new Reuters report released on December 16, 2025 paints a stark picture of the uneven adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the European Union. Drawing on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the European Commission, and national transport ministries, the article charts the progress of individual Member States toward the EU’s 2035 “phase‑out” of combustion‑engine cars and identifies the countries that are pulling ahead and those that are falling behind.

1. The Current State of EV Sales in Europe

• Overall Market Growth: In 2024, EVs accounted for 22 % of all new car sales in the EU, up from 17 % in 2023. The growth rate, however, has slowed compared to the explosive rise of 2022, when EVs hit 30 % of new registrations due to a confluence of subsidies and battery price drops.
• Regional Disparities: While Northern and Western Europe are witnessing rapid uptake, Central and Eastern European markets remain lagging, largely due to weaker financial incentives, limited charging infrastructure, and higher costs of imported EVs.

The Reuters piece cites the ACEA’s latest “EV Adoption in the EU” briefing, which confirms that the EU still trails behind China and the United States in terms of per‑capita EV penetration—China led the world with 30 % of its new car sales in 2023, while the United States saw 25 % of its 2024 sales delivered by battery‑electric vehicles.

2. Leaders on the Road to Zero Emissions

The article highlights five Member States that have emerged as EV leaders:

Norway, which is no longer an EU Member but remains a key player in the European market, remains the most electrified nation. Its policy framework—heavy reliance on electric taxes and a comprehensive charging network—has been widely studied as a model for the rest of Europe.

Germany’s strong showing is largely attributed to its “Elektromobilitäts-Bonus” scheme launched in 2022, which provided substantial rebates for EV purchases and is now being extended through 2025. Meanwhile, France’s “Bonus‑car” program, introduced by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, offers up to €6,000 for new electric vehicles and €4,000 for used ones.

The Reuters article also quotes a spokesperson from the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Mobility and Transport, who said: “The current data underscore that a coordinated approach—combining fiscal incentives, charging infrastructure, and consumer outreach—is essential to accelerate EV adoption across the EU.”

3. Laggards and the Challenges They Face

In contrast, a group of “laggard” countries shows significantly lower EV penetration:

These nations are constrained by a combination of weak policy support, high upfront purchase prices, and limited access to fast‑charging networks. The Reuters piece cites a recent Eurostat report that shows a direct correlation between the density of charging stations per 10,000 km of road and EV sales growth. For instance, Poland’s charging density (2.1 chargers per 10,000 km) is less than one‑third of that in the Netherlands (8.3 chargers per 10,000 km).

An interview with a transport economist from the European Centre for Mobility Innovation (ECMI) reveals that “without a comprehensive charging strategy and subsidies that offset the price premium of EVs, countries like Poland and Hungary will find it difficult to meet the EU’s 2030 target of 30 % new car sales being electric.”

4. Policy Momentum and EU‑Wide Initiatives

The Reuters article also examines the broader policy context driving European EV adoption:

• EU Green Deal & “Fit for 55” Package: These initiatives set the EU on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 % by 2030 and aim to make new car sales 100 % zero‑emission by 2035. They include a “Clean Vehicle Directive” that sets an ambitious roadmap for battery production and recycling.
• Funding for Infrastructure: The EU’s Horizon Europe program and the Cohesion Fund are earmarking €12 bn for the deployment of fast‑charging infrastructure across Member States, with a special focus on bridging the urban–rural divide.
• National Battery Production: Several Member States, including Germany and France, have launched state‑backed investment funds to support domestic battery cell production, with an eye toward reducing reliance on imported batteries and creating a closed‑loop supply chain.

An embedded link to the European Commission’s “Clean Energy for all Europeans” webpage provides a deeper dive into the regulatory framework, while a link to ACEA’s data portal gives readers the ability to download country‑specific EV sales figures and compare them over time.

5. The Road Ahead: What Must Happen?

The article concludes with a clear set of recommendations to keep the EU on track for its 2035 targets:

1. Standardize Incentives: Harmonize fiscal incentives across Member States to reduce disparities in EV adoption.
2. Accelerate Infrastructure Deployment: Target a charging density of at least 10 chargers per 10,000 km by 2026, focusing on underserved regions.
3. Boost Local Battery Production: Encourage joint ventures and public‑private partnerships to bring battery manufacturing closer to end consumers.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Invest in consumer education about the long‑term cost savings and environmental benefits of EVs.
5. Monitor Progress: Establish a pan‑European dashboard that tracks EV sales, charging infrastructure, and policy compliance in real time.

By following these steps, the EU can not only close the gap between its leaders and laggards but also secure a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving global automotive landscape.

Bottom Line

Europe’s EV market is a tale of two (or more) worlds: some countries are sprinting toward a zero‑emission future, while others are still stuck in the rearview mirror. The Reuters article underscores that the EU’s ambitious climate goals hinge on a coordinated, policy‑driven push that lifts all boats—especially those lagging behind. As the next decade unfolds, the success of Europe’s “Clean Vehicle Directive” and related initiatives will be measured not just in policy statements, but in the number of electric cars that light up the roads of every Member State.