Electric Vehicles Not Welcome in Europe

It may seem odd that the continent of high gas taxes and strong environmental ethos would not take to electric vehicles. Focusing on the news that Renault will delay the release of a new EV, AutoblogGreen explores the poor sales of EVs in Europe.

2 minute read

May 27, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Amsterdam Electric Car 2

FaceMePLS / Flickr

With the notable exception of Norway and perhaps premium models (see below), Europe has not particularly welcomed the new electric vehicles (EVs), much to the chagrin of Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn who cites lack of demand for delaying the introduction of a new Renault EV, the Twingo ZE.

"The problem is that people aren't clamoring for the Twingo, leaving the order books fairly empty. The company now says it will delay the model's debut to an undetermined future date, Bloomberg News says...," writes Autoblog's Danny King.

What's odd is how EVs from the two companies in the "alliance" can fare so differently. Nissan Leaf is far way the best selling EV in the U.S. and globally, having sold 50,000 and 115,000 respectively. For a comparison with sales of other plug-in models, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), see chart of 2014 EV sales in U.S. from Inside EVs.

On the other hand, Renault sold less than 20,000 its EVs, which includes three models, adds King. However, Renault is not marketed in the U.S.

In Norway, due to its generous incentives, the Tesla Model S is the best-selling car; Nissan Leaf number three.

Mathieu Rosemain at Bloomberg News offered this perspective from "Sascha Gommel, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Commerzbank AG who has a hold recommendation on Renault stock":

“Most people who buy electric vehicles tend to be premium buyers, as zero-emission cars are more expensive,” he said by phone. “They’d rather go to premium brands like Tesla or BMW, as opposed to a maker of conventional mass-market cars like Renault, which needs to justify the premium on its electric vehicles.”

Monday, May 26, 2014 in AutoBlogGreen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square