02/08/2018 (Agence Europe) – According to the most recent figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Wednesday 1 August, diesel’s market share fell from 49.9% in 2016 to 44.8% in 2017. According to the ACEA, however, this drop was “largely offset” by an increase in petrol car sales. The ACEA added that with almost 49.4% of total new cars registered, petrol vehicles are now the most sold car type in the EU-15. The organisation also pointed out that alternatively-powered vehicles (APV) accounted for just 5.8% of the car market, while electrically‐chargeable vehicles (ECV) made up only 1.5% of all cars sold last year. The Commission is, nevertheless, counting a lot on this sector expanding in future, particularly the Commissioner for the Internal Market and Industry, Elżbieta Bieńkowska (see EUROPE 11970), following the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal. To consult the figures please see: https://bit.ly/2vbi8xg . (PH)