Are E-Bicycle Sales Reducing Car Sales In Europe?
According to a recent report by Forbes (5 May 2013) the European Cycling Federation (ECF) has said that for every car sold in Europe, almost two bicycles are sold. Car sales in the EU27 in 2011 were 13,146,770, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (AECA), while Coliped reports that 20,039,000 bicycles were sold that year. Additionally, ECF data shows that between 2010 and 2011, e-bicycle sales grew by 22% while car sales declined by 2%. In 2012, car sales declined an additional 8%. Perhaps worse news for automakers, AECA is reporting that 1Q 2013 sales were down almost 9%.
Annual Bicycle, E-Bicycle, and Passenger Car Sales, European Union: 2000-2012
Graph showing the ride of ebike sales in Europe compared to cars and ‘standard’ bikes
(Sources: European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, Coliped, Navigant Research)
Navigant Research expects the growth of e-bicycles in Europe to continue. According to our recent report, Electric Bicycles, the market in Europe is on track to grow to between 1.0 million and 1.2 million sales in 2013. But the question remains: Does this mean that Europeans are shunning cars for bicycles and e-bicycles?
Read more…
