The sale of battery-powered vehicles in the Nordic countries continues to make new records. June 2017 was the best-selling month ever recorded, with 7,873 vehicles sold, which represents an increase of 21.79% compared to 2016.

These numbers bring the amount of battery-powered cars on the roads in the Nordics up to 199,815. Compared to a year ago, the number of electric cars sold has increased by 26.41%. A significant increase in the amount of charge points in both Sweden and Norway have helped sustain the high sales figures for the second quarter in a row.

The sale of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the Nordics reached 18,777 in the second quarter of 2017. This means that there are now 199,815 rechargeable cars across the Nordic countries. These statistics are published in the latest edition of industry publication, Insero Quarterly, which presents the latest developments in the sale of battery-powered cars in the Nordics. Interestingly, the figures reveal that plug-in hybrid cars are continuing to rise in popularity. In Sweden, Denmark and Finland, plug-in hybrids are already the preferred type of battery-powered car, while their popularity is continuing to rise in Norway.

-We’re seeing significant growth in the PHEV segment (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), which now has three models that sell over 1,000 cars each quarter. This is largely due to the fact that more and more interesting models are now available as plug-in hybrids, says Jens Christian Morell Lodberg Høj, chief innovator at Insero.

Finland overtakes Denmark

The popularity of electric cars continues to grow in Norway, which was repsonsible for 73.8% of all sales in the Nordics in the second quarter of 2017. Sweden continues to rank second for sales of electric cars, followed by Finland, which has now overtaken Denmark.

 -The positive development is driven by the fact that PHEV prices in the premium segment have become competitive and that more and more public organisations are beginning to procure electric cars. In Denmark we’re still waiting to see the effect of the change in registration duties. This is partly due to the fact that there several models are sold out, and there will go a few months before replacements will arrive in the country, explains Jens Christian Morell Lodberg Høj.

Significant growth in the roll-out of infrastructure in Sweden

Generally there is positive progress in the roll-out of infrastructure across all Nordic countries. However, it is especially Sweden who is moving ahead. The country increased the amount of charging points across the country by 24.9%, meaning that there are now 3,563 charging points across the country in total. In Norway there are 9,502 charging points to be found, while there are 2,546 in Denmark and 929 in Finland.

-More operators have become aware of the market growth, which has resulted in more charging points and more competition, which helps secure even better conditions for electric cars in the country, concludes Jens Christian Morell Lodberg Høj.

Source: stateofgreen.com
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