According to the most recent quarterly data released by ACEM, the Brussels based international motorcycle industry trade association for Europe, total PTW registrations, including electric 2 and 3 wheelers, grew by +7.2 percent for the first six months of 2018 (+37,962 units) to 564,841 units for the January to June period.
Registrations for the all-important second quarter were up by +8.59 percent (+28,495 units) to 360,314 for the April to June period, having been +4.85% for the first quarter of 2018 (+9,467 units) at 204,537.
Motorcycle registrations also increased in most other European countries, with the exception of some relatively smaller markets such as Ireland, Slovenia, Poland and Croatia.
Moped registrations in the EU are continuing to decline - the European moped market reached 121,740 units during the first six months of 2018. This represents a decrease of -32.1% compared to the registration levels for the first half of 2017 (179,260 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were: France (27,640 units), Netherlands (26,730 units), Germany (12,790 units), Italy (10,000 units) and Belgium (9,050 units).
Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 21,100 units during the first six months of 2018. This represents a substantial increase of +49% compared to the registration levels of the first half of 2017 (14,160 units).
Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2018 are mopeds (14,150 units), followed by motorcycles (5,370 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 1,580 units).
The largest European markets in terms of volume were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 5,430 units (+24.8% on a year-on-year basis), followed by the Netherlands (3,890 vehicles, 48.6%), Belgium (3,830 vehicles, 62%), Spain (2,930 vehicles, +125.5%) and Italy (1,280 vehicles, +20.9%).
Commenting on the latest figures, Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said: "Our latest registration figures for the EU show, once again, the importance of two- and three-wheeled vehicles as a solution to the mobility needs of people, particularly in large urban areas that suffer from congestion problems.
"The latest increase in sales, particularly in the motorcycle segment, is a very positive development. Newer and more environmentally friendly vehicles are being added to the European vehicle fleet, which, according to our estimations, is now close to 36 million units.
"At the same time, the motorcycle industry continues working intensively on the development of new vehicles that will comply with the upcoming Euro 5 environmental standard, currently being discussed by the EU institutions."
