Estonian car sales jump 56 percent from tax-hit low base

Car sales in Estonia rose 56 percent in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period last year, largely because a new motor vehicle tax had depressed sales a year earlier, ERR reported.

Just under 15,000 cars were sold in the first nine months of this year. Margus Nõmmik, a board member at Amserv, said sales were still well below 2024 levels, which he described as the last strong year for the market.

Interest in electric cars has grown as fuel prices have risen. They accounted for about 11 percent of sales in September, up from around 5 to 6 percent previously. Meelis Telliskivi, executive director of AMTEL, said electric cars made up 11.2 percent of September sales, exceeding the share of diesel cars. He cited high petrol and diesel prices and attractive offers on electric models as possible reasons.

Sales of used cars have also increased but remain below their levels before the motor vehicle tax was introduced. Demand for used electric cars is rising, though supply is limited. Priit Ärmpalu, chief executive of Ideal Auto, said the shortage of more affordable, lightly used electric cars was holding back sales. Newer, more expensive used models are being brought in from Europe, he said.

Telliskivi said new electric car models priced between 20,000 and 25,000 euros had become available. Hybrids remain popular, accounting for nearly 69 percent of total sales in September. Nõmmik said he expected electric car numbers to grow in the coming years, but predicted that hybrids would remain the most popular choice.