by In the first 11 months of 2019, 6,958 electric cars were imported to Ukraine. Demand for the most popular models remains unchanged. Nіssan Leaf retained the lead, Tesla Model S is in second place, and Volkswagen e-Golf is in third. The fourth and fifth positions are held by BMW i3 and Fіat 500e, respectively. 
“We have approximately the same demand for electric cars as in developed European countries,” says CEO of ElectroCars Alexander Kravtsov.
“If compared to the same period last year, purchasing activity has decreased. The main reason is that the factors which stimulated this have disappeared. For example, people used to rush to buy electric cars because they were afraid of VAT introduction and didn’t want to overpay those 20 percent.”
Most of the electric cars sold are used, accounting for 95%. Predominantly, used electric cars are ordered from the USA, although this year, the share of cars imported from EU countries is actively growing. “The reason for this trend is clear—electric cars are expensive, and Ukrainians’ purchasing power is low.
People are willing to spend within 10-15 thousand dollars on a car. For that money, you can either buy a new budget gasoline car or a used electric car,” says Alexander. A new trend is the stable growth in sales of commercial electric transport. This year, 505 cargo-passenger vans have been sold. “Predominantly, electric Renault Kangoo vans are being bought.
Our electricity prices are among the lowest in Europe, so transporting small loads with this car is significantly more advantageous than with a diesel or gasoline one. Van sales could have been even higher if it were equipped with fast charging.”
