Hybrid sales expected to triple in Europe as tougher CO2 rules loom

Sales of hybrids and plug-in hybrids in Europe will triple to more than 750,000 in the next three years, analysts at LMC Automotive predict, as automakers scramble to reach tougher CO2 targets that start to take effect in 2020. Demand for the alternative powertrains rose 22 percent to about 280,000 last year, according to LMC figures, helped by rising acceptance of the technology and generous government incentives.