Sales of new cars in the European Union rose 12.5 per cent in March compared to the same month last year, reaching 1.16 million vehicles, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). The increase followed declines in January and February, lifting overall first-quarter sales by four per cent. Demand for electric vehicles drove the growth, with fully electric car registrations surging 49 per cent and plug-in hybrids rising 20 per cent. Hybrids were the most popular choice in the quarter, capturing 37 per cent of the market, while plug-in hybrids added another 10 per cent. Fully electric vehicles accounted for just over 19 per cent of sales, as petrol-only models dropped to 23 per cent from 28 per cent a year earlier. The ACEA attributed the shift to rising petrol prices, triggered by attacks on February 28 by the United States and Israel on Iran, which disrupted Gulf oil exports and prompted Iranian retaliation against regional energy infrastructure. Sales performance for electric vehicles varied by country, with strong gains reported in Italy, France, and Germany. In contrast, Belgium and the Netherlands saw declines. The Volkswagen Group remained the top seller in the EU for the first quarter, though its market share dipped to 26.4 per cent as Stellantis, owner of Fiat, Citroen, and Opel, gained ground. Renault's sales fell due to transportation issues affecting its Dacia brand. Tesla sales rose nearly 60 per cent compared to the first quarter of last year, when consumer backlash over Elon Musk's ties to the Trump administration had dampened demand.
The surge in European electric vehicle sales highlights a direct link between geopolitical conflict and consumer behaviour, yet no Nigerian official has acknowledged how similar fuel disruptions could accelerate local demand for alternatives. With petrol prices in Nigeria already volatile and dependent on global markets, the 49 per cent jump in EU electric car uptake during a regional crisis suggests a vulnerability in Nigeria's transport policy. No statement from the Federal Ministry of Transport or Nigerian Automotive Council addresses this shift. The silence leaves Nigerian drivers exposed to the same shocks without a public roadmap for alternative mobility.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
