Electric car sales gain pace despite hurdles
The electrification of the auto industry is gathering pace, particularly in Europe, where the sale of new cars running on petrol and diesel will end . in 2035 But challenges remain around their production, affordability and whether enough infrastructure can be put in place to persuade drivers to make the switch. China in pole position European carmakers were hobbled in 2022 by a lack of semiconductors, the computer chips that are key for numerous systems on all types of cars. But electric car sales held up quite well. China is a leader in the electrification of cars, with favourable policies and EV sales that have doubled in 2022. But experts have warned sales could slow there in 2023 alongside shifts in the Chinese economy. “China’s BEV (battery electric vehicle) growth will moderate in 2023, after a meteoric rise in 2022 of more than 100 percent year-on-year,” said Al Bedwell, director of Global Powertrain at LMC Automotive. “The country’s slowing economy and unav...