Electric vehicle registrations in the European Union rose by 62.2% year-on-year in Q3 2015 to 28,360 .

The increase was part of a 13.4% year-on-year rise in alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) registrations, with 127,661 being sold in that period.

Demand for hybrid vehicles (HEV) also grew significantly (+34.7%), totalling 53,183 units. However, registrations of passenger cars powered by propane or natural gas showed a decline in the third quarter (-17.1%), totalling 46,118.

Spain saw the largest increase of AFVs registered over the third quarter (+74.0%), followed by the Netherlands (+55.5%), France (+46.1%) and the UK (+26.4%).

While growth in Spain was sustained across all AFV categories, growth in the Netherlands, France and the UK was totally driven by electric and hybrid electric vehicle markets.

Among the EU and EFTA countries, Norway registered the largest number of electrically chargeable vehicles over the period, totalling 7,823 units.