Western Europe – BEVs Gaining Share. Diesel Threatened.

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The western European diesel car market-share fell back in March as the BEV segment gained share, according the LMC automotive consultancy. February’s diesel share of new car sales in the region was at 21.4% while March preliminary data has it at 18.0%. Many buyers opted for electrified cars, in particular BEVs with Tesla providing a “strong showing,” according to LMC. In terms of volume, March, despite the declining diesel share, saw a higher volume of diesel cars being delivered than either January or February: 184,000 were sold versus 154,000 in February.

“Notwithstanding the share decline in March, it could be said that diesel share remains in relative stability that has been in place during the last two quarters following lengthy decline. March’s 18% figure is in fact a little higher than that seen in September of 2021,” said LMC.

“Further decline is inevitable though and may be accelerated by steep price increases at the diesel pump. Gasoline prices have risen a little less, which heightens the attractiveness of that fuel type over diesel while BEV looks increasingly alluring from a fuel price standpoint as liquid road fuels continue at near-record price levels across the region,” noted LMC.

The EU has been debating a potential sixth round of sanctions against Russia invading Ukraine. However, an embargo on oil and/or gas to stop financing Putin’s war machine remains uncertain. The European Union has paid €35 billion for Russian energy since the start of the war, according to EU Foreign Affairs Representative Joseph Borrell. During 2021, the EU imported ~40% of its gas and ~25% of its oil from Russia. The EU has banned Russian coal. AutoInformed thinks it’s only a question of when it bans oil.