Volkswagen’s flagship brand delivered fewer electric vehicles last year amid greater competition with rivals in China, putting Europe’s largest carmaker under pressure to hit the continent’s tougher emissions rules. 

The VW brand delivered 383,100 all-electric vehicles in 2024 compared with about 394,000 in 2023 — a 2.8 per cent fall. Globally, it delivered 4.8mn vehicles, down 1.4 per cent as those in China fell 8.3 per cent. Group-wide figures are expected to be released next week.

“Around the globe, 2024 was a difficult year with sluggish economic activity, political challenges and intense competition, particularly in China,” Martin Sander, who leads sales, marketing and aftersales at VW’s passenger car business, said in a statement on Thursday.