According to its second quarter report published on 25 August, electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for 4% of vehicle sales during the first seven months of 2020. This marks a proportional increase on the same period in 2019 when the rate was 2%, and 2018 when it was just 1%.

“This increase is expected to continue in the following months, as since 11 May the bonus for purchasing these kinds of vehicles rose to €8,000, compared to €5,000 before,” the report author wrote.

Petrol-fuelled vehicles accounted for the largest chunk of new vehicle sales, at 75%.

The report found that new vehicle registrations declined 25% during the first seven years of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, mainly because dealerships were closed during the lockdown period. Across the eurozone, sales declined 35% over a year.