Electric vehicles are not a fad

The Portuguese consumer already reveals more knowledge of the advantages of these vehicles and the buying trend of electric cars continues to grow.

In the last month of 2018, 727 electric vehicles were sold in Portugal, representing a growth of 30% compared to the same month of the previous year. Last year was the best year ever in Portugal when it comes to selling electric vehicles. This information, available on the UVE - Electric Vehicle Users Association website, demonstrates that electric mobility and electric vehicles are not a passing fad, recalls Henrique Sánchez, chairman of UVE's governing board. This shows that we are moving towards a more effective, efficient and cost-effective response to the problems affecting people's mobility, contamination of large cities, environmental and noise pollution caused by internal combustion engines. reducing its negative impact, being fundamental, necessary but not sufficient for the decarbonisation of the economy & #8221 ;.

These data also reveal a better understanding of what electric vehicles (EVs) are and what their advantages are: more efficient and economical, have better performance and lower operating and maintenance costs.

Henrique Sánchez adds that there is a greater knowledge of the different ways of charging a EV, especially when this can be done in the home. It also highlights a growing Public Cargo Network, but without keeping pace with sales growth.

This is the & #8220; Electric Mobility Achilles Heel in Portugal & #8221; and it is urgent to overcome the difficulties, resistances and obstacles to the expansion of the Public Loading Network.

The head of UVE reports that in 2018, 1,238,320 electric vehicles were sold, representing a growth of 94.5% compared to 2017, placing the EV share at 3.6% & #8221 ;.

Portugal is in the #8220; fourth place in the European Union at 28, right after Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands and sixth worldwide after Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and China & #8221; #8220; Very interesting and promising numbers & #8221; highlights our interlocutor.

Interesting expression

The sale of electric vehicles is increasing but is still residual. For Henrique Sánchez, 727 units of cars sold, between 100% electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), in a month is an interesting number #8220; When analyzing the total numbers of the national electric park, which includes motorcycles, mopeds, quads and not only, 24,066 electric vehicles are registered. If we add to these the numbers of January 2019, there are currently over 25,000 electric vehicles in Portugal at the moment. The official acknowledges that & #8220; is still a drop in the ocean & #8221 ;, but that allows us to foresee & #8220; exponential growth in the near future with the arrival of new, more autonomous and more economical models and this from 2019 & #8221 ;.

Asked what remains to be done to sell more electric or hybrid vehicles in Portugal, he replies: & #8220; More disclosure, more information and as we say in our association UVE, try the EV; do the electric baptism. Sit behind the wheel or the handlebar and feel the difference, the progress, the pleasure of driving an EV. & #8221;

Regarding UVE's expectations for the electric mobility universe in Portugal this year, Henrique Sánchez says they are “#8220; the best” #8221; as there is “#8220” more and more information available and accessible about what is #8221 ;. Brands are preparing to launch new models with more autonomy. They are also more economical and technologically more advanced. The Public Loading Network grows throughout the territory. And there are initiatives like conferences, fairs, halls, exhibitions to promote different types of EV. Enough reasons for Henrique Sánchez to be optimistic about the future of the electric car in Portugal.

In May, all roads will lead to Torres Vedras

There are more and more initiatives to promote electric vehicles in Portugal. The National Meeting of Electric Vehicles - ENVE 2019, this year in Torres Vedras on 11 and 12 May, is considered the largest event dedicated to electric mobility in all its aspects. If you want to know all about this mobility, do electric baptism and still want to do family activities & #8211; electric karts, electric trial bikes, etc. & #8211; ExpoTorres is the place to visit.

8.241

electric vehicles sold in Portugal in 2018.

24.066

electric vehicles are registered in the national electric park & #8211; includes motorcycles, mopeds, quads and not only.

727

Light car units sold, between 100% electric and plug-in hybrids, last December.

* UVE data you used as sources: ACAP, IMT, EV Sales

UVE supports Minister Matos Fernandes' position

Environment Minister Matos Fernandes recently said in an interview with Jornal de Negócios and Antena 1 that he sees no need to reinforce subsidies for electric car purchases or grant incentives for slaughter, adding that in the next decade it will not make sense to buy vehicles. by diesel. The official said that those who buy diesel cars will not have value in exchange in four years, he said. These statements have caused controversy among industry and industry. However, in a press release, the Association of Electric Vehicle Users - UVE, welcomed these statements, explaining that the rise of electric vehicles is one of the ways in which today's society moves towards the decarbonisation of the economy (…), which is needed. in the current fight against climate change and in compliance with COP 21 decisions taken in Paris, reinforced at COP 24 in Katowice & #8211; Poland, which Portugal subscribed to & #8221 ;.

The document states that UVE has warned that internal combustion engines have no future, as they are less efficient and more polluting than electric motors. #8220; The future is electric. For many of us it is the present and even the past. We have associated with more than 200,000 km traveled in electric vehicle and with an adhesion to electric vehicles that has been more than a decade & #8221 ;.

The association is aware that this change will not be immediate (…) & #8220 However, we know that the adoption of electric vehicles will be exponential and disruptive and that our cities will change radically in half a dozen years for the good of all. Just follow what is already happening in China and in the largest cities in Europe and the World & #8221 ;.

Source: Business Journal