Source: Cycling Electric

E-bike sales in Europe continue to remain strong, with several countries reporting record-breaking figures and a variety of factors driving the growth. The UK remains a slower adopter, with a lack of subsidies and safety concerns at the fore.

Recent data has been gathered by Cycling Electric on major e-bike markets in Europe and beyond, revealing a general upswing in sales, and variations in trends depending on local market conditions.

Germany, Austria and Belgium’s e-bike sales higher than traditional cycles

In Germany, the 2024 sales figures are ahead of other European countries at 2.05 million electric bikes sold, though this is lower than in 2023, when Germany’s e-bike sales reached 2.1 million units, accounting for 53% of total bicycle sales.

In 2024, the average price of e-bikes in Germany was €2,650. 2023 figures showed that e-MTB models are popular with 39% of the share of units sold, while e-cargo bikes represent 9% of e-bike sales.

An Austrian industry report in early 2024 showed electric bikes taking 52.3% market share by volume (220,493 vs. 200,711). Factors supporting this include e-bike leasing, active transport infrastructure improvements, and the Ministry of Climate Protection’s promotion of e-mobility. Another factor is generous subsidies on both cargo bike and electric folding bike purchases, with individual buyers enjoying up to €900 and €500 in savings respectively, while companies or municipalities that buy fleets of five or more e-bikes can see discounts of up to €300 per bike.

In Belgium, data also shows that electric bike sales outweigh those of traditional bikes; the country is also notable as the biggest purchaser of speed pedelecs, with 3.2% of the entire market.

In terms of Belgium’s overall electric bike market, city and commuter type e-bikes are most popular with 23% of sales, followed by trekking bikes at 15.5%. E-MTB made up 3.3% of electric bike sales, e-cargo 1.3% and e-road 1%.

The subsidy effect in France

France sees e-bike sales of around 750,000 units per year, with the subsidy of up to €2,000 bound to be a key factor. More recently, the subsidy was expanded to include second-hand as well as new e-bike sales, making access to people with lower incomes greater.

The subsidy is part of plan to increase cycling rates at a national level; more locally, in Paris, cycling has boomed recently thanks to an expansion of the cycling infrastructure network, and people-first Mayoral policies.

The UK lags behind

Growth is now predicted by the UK’s Bicycle Association, but this follows a more stagnant period with sales of around 150,000 units a year for many years, give or take 5,000 units in either direction. In 2024 the volume went down 5%, to 146,000 units sold. In 2022, around 155,000 e-bikes were sold in 2022, slightly lower than the previous year.

A lack of government subsidies and safety concerns among the population, prompted by poor or confusing media coverage, have slowed adoption.

Elsewhere in Europe and beyond

In Poland, a report from summer 2024 shows that electric bike sales are now worth €293 million and make up 26% of sales, and an an estimated annual value of €1.1 billion.

In the USA, electric bike market share is now at 18%. Generally as a market, the USA was sceptical towards e-bikes a decade ago, so this represents something of a turnaround. With individual states setting different rules and regulations around products, it’s a less clear picture for end-users, but popularity is on the rise.