During the first months of the new year, there was a twist in the European automotive market: theunexpected return of diesel. While ambitions for completely eco-friendly mobility seemed to be the automotive industry's unshakeable future, sales figures demonstrated an unprecedented preference for diesel powertrains compared to electric cars. A reversal that raises doubts about Europe's green mobility since the declared objective of achieving zero emissions by 2035 truly seems like a distant utopia.
According to January statistics, the sales of diesel cars have surpassed those of electric cars in Europe, with the latter representing only 11% of the market, down compared to 14,6% in 2023. Surprisingly, however, the diesel engines continue to maintain a solid share market share, standing at 13,4%, despite a 5% decline compared to the previous year.
The end of German incentives weighs on electric cars
The return of diesel depended on a few factors. Among these, the end of German incentives for electric cars at the end of 2023 played a crucial role, pushing consumers to reconsider their purchasing choices. After the end of public incentives, German consumers have thus abandoned the idea of investing in electric propulsion, considering it less convenient. A situation which in Italy is even more accentuated "where diesel cars have reached a market share of 15,45%, while electric cars have stopped at only 2,1%", explains the president of Anfia, Robert Vavassori.
Diesel dominates the used market
In the used car market, i Diesel engines continue to dominate with a share of 41%. This can be explained by the fact that those who buy used cars plan to use them for a shorter period, probably before the European bans on diesel engines come into force.
Incentives for heat engines are still preferred
Resistance to change affects not only consumers, but also public policies. The large funds intended for incentives for electric cars (423 million euros) remain largely intact, with only a small percentage used (around 10 million), unlike the generous incentives for internal combustion engines (120 million), which have been extensively exploited.
Furthermore, resistance to diesel depends not only on the still high prices of electric cars, but also on the socio-economic and geographical differences. While residents of large cities, predominantly belonging to the middle and upper classes, are more likely to embrace the ecological transition, those living in rural and remote areas continue to prefer diesel engines for their practicality and autonomy.
Despite this rediscovery of diesel, its future is still uncertain and depends on technological innovations. The biodiesel and synthetic diesel, could open up new avenues to make internal combustion engines more sustainable and in line with environmental goals.
