Can flood of cheap new EVs coming to Europe save its carmakers?

Analysts argue 2024 is minor blip and that lobbying for relaxation of rules could harm industry in long term

Affordable new electric family cars - particularly those that are EU-made - have been tough to come by in Europe for the past few years. There were no launches of homegrown electric models for less than 25,000 (20,740) across the EU during 2022 and 2023, according to the campaign group Transport & Environment.

Yet in the past few months that has changed, with a rush of new cars ranging from the Fiat Grande Panda to the Citroen e-C3, the Hyundai Inster to the latest Dacia Spring and the Renault 5. Suddenly, buyers have options.