In the EU, for instance, there was a rapid increase in the market share of the most energy-efficient appliances. Sales of Class A refrigerators increased from less than 5 per cent of total sales in 1995 to 23 per cent in 2000 and 61 per cent in 2005, in addition, 19 per cent of refrigerators sold in 2005 were in the two new, more efficient classes (A+ and A++). For washing machines, progress was even more rapid: with an increase in sales of 1 per cent in 1996, 38 per cent in 2000 and 90 per cent in 2005.