Europe's electric vehicle market posted a record share in May, accelerating the shift from internal combustion engine cars to EVs. Demand rose as government support expanded and fuel cost burdens increased, while Chinese companies are broadening competition by targeting the electric truck market beyond passenger cars.

Cryptopolitan reported on June 18 that battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in May across 17 major European markets totalled 212,387. That was up 34.4% from the same period last year. Market share reached 23.6%, setting a record high.

The growth trend in EVs has continued steadily this year. BEV registrations rose 34.1% in April from a year earlier, and increased 51.3% in March. By contrast, the shares of gasoline and diesel cars have gradually declined, accelerating structural change in Europe's auto market.

The industry analyses that energy security and fuel cost burdens are changing consumer choices. Chris Heron, secretary general of E-Mobility Europe, said that each new EV sold cuts fuel costs and permanently reduces reliance on oil imports.

By country, France recorded the highest EV share among major economies. France's EV market share in May reached 29.5%. Germany posted 25%, and cumulative EV registrations from January to May rose 41% from a year earlier. Italy showed the steepest growth, with EV registrations nearly doubling from last year on the back of a new subsidy policy.

Nordic countries maintained the world's highest levels of EV adoption. Denmark's EV share reached 78.7%, while Finland recorded 49.6%, Sweden 41.2%, the Netherlands 41.3% and Belgium 36.8%. European automakers currently hold seven of the top 10 best-selling EV models, maintaining their edge.

But Chinese companies are also intensifying their push. Chinese automakers are already working to expand their share of Europe's passenger EV market, and have recently begun moving in earnest into the electric truck market. Electric trucks were expected to see a slow transition because of battery weight, lack of charging infrastructure and high upfront purchase costs.

Chinese companies are shaking that conventional view. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said global sales of heavy electric trucks of 15 tonnes or more totalled about 230,000 last year, almost tripling from the previous year. Most sales occurred in China, where the share of electric models in domestic heavy freight truck sales has already reached 28%.

The Chinese government is also pursuing the expansion of electric trucks as a national strategy. China's transport ministry set a goal of shifting 40% of new heavy-truck sales to new energy vehicles by 2030 and expanding their share of vehicles in operation to 20%.

CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun (쩡위췬) went further, forecasting that electric trucks would account for more than half of the market by 2028. To support this, China is also pushing to build about 30,000 km of zero-carbon highway sections and set up 3,000 charging and battery swapping stations.

Europe's electric truck market, by contrast, remains at an early stage. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) said electric truck sales in Europe last year were about 5,000, less than 2% of the overall heavy-truck market.

Still, European Union carbon rules are strongly pressuring the market to shift. Under EU regulations, average truck emissions must be cut by at least 90% by 2040 from 2019 levels. As a result, about six Chinese truck makers are reportedly preparing to enter the European market this year alone. The industry sees electric trucks becoming a new battleground for Europe's auto industry. Steven Meersman of energy infrastructure company Zenobe warned, "European manufacturers need to respond immediately," adding, "Otherwise they will face a very big problem."

Europe's EV market is already undergoing rapid electrification in the passenger-car segment. Competition is set to expand to electric trucks, intensifying the battle for leadership between European and Chinese companies.