Greek Drivers Transition to Electric Vehicles, Favor Chinese Brands

ATHENS, October 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese electric vehicles took center stage at Greece's largest automotive exhibition, "Auto Athina 2024," which kicked off in Athens on Saturday. This highlights the rising interest among Greeks in electric mobility and Chinese-manufactured models.

Located prominently at the entrance, BYD's exhibit welcomed visitors eager to explore over 200 new vehicle models on display — ranging from conventional fossil fuel cars to hybrids and fully electric options by around 40 exhibitors. Attendees lined up to discover the attributes, design, and cutting-edge technologies offered by Chinese electric car makers.

"We are impressed by the car's quality; it feels solid and performs well on the road," remarked Grigoris A., a visitor, after test-driving a Chinese electric vehicle. A staunch supporter of electric mobility, he added, "There's no going back to internal combustion engine cars for me."

Grigoris is among the growing number of Greeks pivoting towards electric vehicles in recent years. As of August, the Greek Association of Motor Vehicle Importers Representatives (AMVIR) reported that the average age of cars on Greek roads is 17.3 years, with only 1 in 315 being fully electric.

The sales of electric cars have been gaining momentum, with July witnessing a record monthly sale of 882 units, capturing a 7.22% market share and a 53.93% increase compared to the previous year. Plug-in hybrids closely followed with a 6.67% market share at 814 units, while traditional petrol and diesel car sales saw a year-on-year decline of approximately 30%.

According to AMVIR data, more electric vehicles were sold in Greece last year (6,379) than in the previous four years combined (5,872).

Globally, consumers, including Greeks, are seeking environmentally friendly transportation options, weighing benefits like low maintenance and operational costs against considerations such as battery autonomy. Price remains a significant factor, prompting many Greeks to capitalize on government incentives.

Since 2022, various programs have enabled Greek consumers to receive subsidies up to 22,500 euros (24,700 U.S. dollars), covering about 40% of the cost of a new electric vehicle, thereby easing the transition.

"The subsidies are quite appealing in Greece at the moment, but infrastructure remains a primary concern," noted Evangelos Andreakos, an exhibition visitor. Although driving a conventional car currently, Andreakos is contemplating switching to an electric vehicle but is wary of battery range when traveling in rural areas or smaller Greek islands.

Greece currently hosts around 6,000 public charging stations, predominantly in urban centers. The government plans to double this number by 2025, aiming for over 100,000 charging points by 2030 as part of its national energy and climate plan and the EU's Green Deal.

"We need to make our lives easier, cut emissions, and create a more beautiful world," expressed Panos Katris, another attendee at "Auto Athina 2024." Although not yet an electric car owner, he is considering purchasing one and was particularly impressed by the quality and battery life of Chinese vehicles.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers began entering the Greek market two years ago, with Greek consumers now having access to around 10 Chinese electric car brands. Visitors like Katris and Greek car dealers distributing Chinese vehicles highlighted the exceptional value for money offered by these brands. They combine high-quality, technologically advanced, and well-designed vehicles with competitive pricing, attracting Greek buyers.

Source: Xinhua