Visitors learn about a BYD vehicle during Solar and Storage Live Africa 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 25, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]
JOHANNESBURG - Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continued to expand across Europe and South Africa in the first half of 2026, with Chinese automakers expanding their presence as consumers increasingly embraced electric mobility, according to a report released Tuesday.
The report, released by global online classifieds platform OLX Group, analyzed consumer activity in France, Romania, Portugal, Poland and South Africa.
All five markets recorded double- or triple-digit year-on-year growth in EV-related consumer leads in June, said the report titled "The Great Acceleration: East Meets Electric," with France posting the strongest increase at 206 percent, followed by South Africa at 154.6 percent, Romania at 66 percent, Portugal at 60 percent and Poland at 34.3 percent.
While geopolitical tensions in the Middle East may have contributed to the initial spike in demand, consumer interest has since moderated while remaining above pre-February levels, suggesting the market is shifting from a short-term surge to sustained, structural adoption, the report said.
