Electric car sales in Germany plummeted by 39pc last month as the withdrawal of government tax breaks triggered a collapse in demand.

European car sales barely grew last year as persistent inflation, higher borrowing costs and apathy toward electric models led consumers to hold off on buying vehicles.

Sales of all types of electric vehicles rose more than 40% in China last year while those of gasoline-powered automobiles plunged.

Sales of electric cars slid last year in Europe in an otherwise stable market, data from carmakers showed Tuesday.

Douglas McIntyre, Editor-in-Chief of Climate Crisis 24/7, reports that despite 1.3 million EVs being sold in the U.S. last year, this only accounted for 8% of all new car sales. Growth remains slow, with sales projected to reach just 10% next year.