The future is now. The sales of hybrid and electric vehicles, which were considered ‘rare birds’ until a few decades ago on the streets of Almeria due to their unique sound when passing, are slowly increasing market share despite all the difficulties. These vehicles are considered to be cleaner than internal combustion cars (gasoline or diesel) and their registrations are increasing. However, they are still more expensive to acquire, and so more people choose them from Almeria.
160 electric vehicles and SUVs were registered in Almeria in the first half of the year. This is 23.75% more than the same period in 2021 and 1,024 hybrids are 22.78% more. According to data from the Faconauto, Anfac, and Ganvam, Almeria dealers sold 3,297 units over the first six months of 2022. This means that 35.9% are hybrid or electric cars and SUVs. One in three hybrids is registered. The number of hybrids registered has been almost twice that of diesel. This is despite the fact that diesel’s market share has continued to decline due to uncertainty about taxes and other mobility restrictions. Specifically, 576 diesel (17.47%) and 1,424 gasoline (43.19%), respectively, and 1,297 other (39.34%). This includes 75 gas, nearly twice the amount as last year.
The alternative vehicles, which include pure electric (BEV), extended-range electric (EREV), plug in hybrid (PHEV), and non-plugin (HEV), account for four of the ten students enrolled on Almeria soil. This is a higher percentage than the Andalusian average of 37.5% and slightly more than the national average of 39.5%.
The increase in alternative cars was also achieved within a context where dealer sales were declining due to a “perfect storm” caused by a lack of microchips and delivery delays, economic crisis resulting in the pandemic, high CPI with skyrocketing diesel price, and war in Ukraine. These ‘cleaner’ copies were sold 42% more in spite of a general drop of 5.5% in Almeria.
It is clear that the leap has been made. In 2016, the province sold less than 200 alternative fuel vehicles. This jump is obvious five years ago. The percentage of these “alternatives” relative to the total number vehicles in the province is still very low, with nearly 400,000 passenger cars currently in circulation, each with an average age over 15 years.
In any case, a trend that appears to be unstoppable. Recently, the European Parliament ratified an agreement prohibiting new cars with combustion engines for 13 year. It will be effective in 2035.
For now, electric vehicles seem cleaner than the alternatives, even though in Spain their implementation is slower than other European countries, whose transition to an ecologically sustainable future is progressing more rapidly.
According to several studies, the pandemic has increased the preference for cleaner vehicles. This, along with European restrictions and purchase incentives, has an effect on the market.
The number of charging points in the territory is one of the main reasons why there have been some doubts about choosing one. According to the company “Electromaps”, there are approximately 238 connection points at 112 locations in the province. They are available at gas stations, hotels and restaurants as well as shopping centers, hypermarkets and supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, gas stations, shops, restaurants, private garages, shops, and private garages. These are not as common on public roads as in other regions.
