JOHANNESBURG, July 29 (Xinhua) -- 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.
Christian Gisy, CEO of OLX Group, said Chinese automakers are playing an increasingly important role in accelerating the global transition to electric mobility.
"Where EV adoption is accelerating, demand for Chinese automotive brands is accelerating with it," Gisy said, adding that Chinese manufacturers are expanding the market by making EVs available at more accessible prices.
According to the report, France recorded the fastest growth in demand for Chinese brands, with consumer interest surging 276 percent year-on-year. Romania followed with an increase of 119.2 percent, while Poland and Portugal registered gains of 94.6 percent and 74 percent, respectively.
Though growth has moderated across the five markets tracked, the report said, the trend indicates the EV market is moving beyond an initial demand surge into a more stable phase of expansion.
South Africa presents a different market dynamic. Chinese brands accounted for the largest share of overall consumer demand among the five markets, at 7.31 percent. However, fully electric vehicles represented just 0.3 percent of demand, with consumer interest remaining focused on petrol and hybrid sport utility vehicles.
George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader South Africa, said consumer interest in electric mobility is growing rapidly in the country's relatively small EV market.
"The 154.6 percent increase in EV leads shows that interest in electric mobility is growing rapidly in South Africa," Mienie said.
"Chinese manufacturers are helping drive this shift by offering vehicles that respond well to local priorities around affordability, technology and practicality," he added. ■