Top European Selling EV May 2023
The electric vehicle (EV) market in Europe continues to experience significant growth, as revealed by the latest figures in June. According to José Pontes, data director at EV-volumes.com, the numbers are impressive.
In June, Europe witnessed a remarkable increase in EV registrations, with over 311,000 units, marking a 42% rise compared to the same month last year. The overall automotive market also grew rapidly, increasing by 19% yearly.
EVs accounted for 25% of all new car registrations in Europe, which includes the EU, UK, and EFTA markets. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) alone held a substantial 17% market share, experiencing a remarkable 57% increase in newly registered units compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) displayed their highest growth rate of the year, increasing by 17% and reaching close to 100,000 units by the end of the month. As a result, BEVs dominated the EV market in June, representing 68% of total EV sales, while PHEVs accounted for the remaining 32%.
Tesla Model Y Takes the Lead
For the eighth month, the Tesla Model Y emerged as the best-selling EV in Europe. In June, the midsize model recorded an impressive 33,523 registrations. The Model Y’s success can be attributed to its competitive pricing and balanced supply and demand ratio, allowing for quick deliveries. The crossover is expected to maintain its leading position in the coming quarters; however, it may have already reached the market’s natural limit in terms of sales volume.
In June, the Model Y’s top European markets included Germany, France, Norway, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Germany led the way with 6,098 units registered, followed by France with 4,335 units. Other notable markets included Norway with 3,127 units, the UK with 5,500 units, Sweden with 2,408 units, Denmark with 2,164 units, and the Netherlands with 1,778 units. Belgium also had a significant number of deliveries, reaching 1,300 units.
Tesla Model 3 Holds Second Place
Following closely behind the Model Y, the Tesla Model 3 secured the second spot in the rankings with 14,163 registrations in June. Sales of the Model 3 are expected to rebound once the brand releases its refreshed version. However, the extent to which this will increase sales volume remains to be determined.
The distribution of Model 3 deliveries varied more than that of the Model Y, with significant sales in larger markets such as France, the UK, Germany, and Italy. France accounted for 3,966 units, the UK for 1,962 units, Germany for 1,668 units, and Italy for 1,010 units.
Volkswagen ID.4 Claims Third Place
In third place, the Volkswagen ID.4 recorded 10,252 registrations in June. Increased production availability is attributed to local output in the US and the start of manufacturing in Germany. With this momentum, the ID.4 aims to compete for second place in 2023, moving up from its third-place position in 2022. The ID.4’s primary markets in June were Germany with 3,754 registrations, Norway with 1,176 units, the UK with 1,016, and Sweden with 972 registrations.
Other Top Performers in June
Several other EV models showcased impressive performances in June. The Fiat 500e secured the fourth spot with 7,954 sales, aided by the introduction of the new Abarth hot hatch version. The Fiat 500e, the best-selling city car, is currently in recovery mode after a slow start to the year. Germany led the way with 3,004 registrations, France with 2,781 registrations, and Italy with 452 rolls.
The MG4 also earned a top-five position in June, with 7,799 registrations, setting a new record for the model. Known for its purposeful look, good handling, and reasonable interior materials, the hatchback has been performing well since its launch, providing an affordable option for EV motoring. The UK and France were the model’s primary markets, with 2,213 and 2,511 registrations, respectively. Germany followed with 928 registrations.
Other notable performances in June included the Skoda Enyaq in sixth place with a record performance of 7,119 registrations. The Renault Megane EV secured the tenth spot with 5,032 registrations, making it the best-selling French model in the rankings. Additionally, the BMW iX1 achieved its second-record result in a row with 4,158 registrations, placing it in 16th. The Kia EV6 also achieved its best-ever result with 3,892 units, making it the best-selling Korean model in the rankings.
Brand Ranking and Automotive Groups
In terms of brand ranking, Tesla comfortably led the way in June, holding a 13.1% market share, up 0.7% compared to May. Volkswagen took the runner-up position with an 8.5% share, up 0.2% from the previous month. BMW secured third place with a 7.9% share, gaining an advantage over Mercedes-Benz (7.4% share, down from 7.7%). However, the slim margin between the two brands suggests that the rankings could change. Volvo comfortably held fifth place with a 6.2% share, followed by Audi (5.3%) and Peugeot (4.7%).
When considering automotive groups, VW Group maintained a comfortable lead with a 19.9% share, while Stellantis claimed the runner-up position with a 14.3% share, up 0.4% from May. Tesla jumped from 12.4% to 13.1% and is expected to challenge for second place in the latter half of 2023. BMW Group remained stable at 9.5% in fourth place, while Geely-Volvo dropped to fifth with an 8.7% share due to poor performances from Volvo and Lynk & Co. Mercedes-Benz (8.3%) and Hyundai-Kia (8.2%) secured sixth and seventh places, respectively.