Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise in Europe. Although gasoline cars remain in demand, the growth in new passenger car registrations in Europe in August 2023 was a result of the uptake of electric cars – which recorded their second-highest monthly market share in August.
According to JATO data for 28 European markets, 22% of total registrations were BEVs – equating to 196,000 units out of almost 900,000 units. The overall market rose by 20%, with the volume of electric cars increasing by 102%, and gasoline by just 11%. However, despite the smaller increase in volume, gasoline cars still accounted for more than half (53%) of the registrations.
According to Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics, “Although the current industry debates often point towards a slowdown in growth for BEVs, our data shows that growth in demand remains strong, due to their increasingly competitive pricing, and continuous support from governments across Europe.”
BEV registrations posted strong growth across Belgium (+224%), Greece (+183), Luxembourg (+164%), and Portugal (164%). With 171% registrations growth in Germany, this country accounted for 44% of the European total demand. Munoz, added: “With an influx of Tesla models and the introduction of BEVs from Chinese OEMs – both of which are battling to produce competitively priced vehicles – demand for EVs across Europe is booming.”
In contrast, BEVs sustained just a single-digit share in the Italian and Spanish markets, with a 5% and 7% share respectively. While BEVs in both Poland and the Czech Republic had just a 3% market share.
TESLA AND MG REAP GAINS
However, not all car manufacturers are being impacted by the BEV boom. Between January and August, Tesla’s registrations have rocketed from 45,600 units in 2020, to a record 236,400 units this year. Similarly, last month, it gained 2.43 points of market share in the overall market, achieving a new record of 3.76%, while its share in the BEV market jumped from 10.2% in August 2022, to 17.3%.
Munoz commented: “Multiple factors have led to this growth in demand for Tesla vehicles. However, most significantly, the recent price cuts of the Model 3 and Y have helped it keep momentum, despite a limited and somewhat outdated line-up. The question now is how European competitors will remain competitive and produce equally affordable BEVs.”
MG also steadily climbed the ranking in August – gaining the second-most market share between August 2022 and the same month this year, in both the BEV and overall markets. Last month, MG hit the European top 20 brands, outselling the likes of Jeep, Mazda, Mini and Suzuki. In the BEV market, MG registered more cars than Audi, Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault or Skoda. MG’s volume made up 69% of a total of 197,800 units registered by Chinese car brands through August. Despite success for some, many still face the challenge of shifting negative perception among consumers in Europe.
SOME BRANDS FALLING BEHIND
Ford, Hyundai-Kia, Stellantis, and the Volkswagen brand are among those impacted by the rise of Tesla and MG. For Stellantis, its brands Citroën and Peugeot will require more electric models as their diesel range continues to experience a fall in demand. While Hyundai-Kia and Volkswagen are posting increases with their electric models, growth is not keeping up with the market average, being overshadowed by the likes of Tesla and MG.
TESLA MODEL Y COULD BE TOPSELLER FOR 2023
The Tesla Model Y continued to lead the European overall ranking by models with 21,549 units, increasing by 208% from August 2022. During the first eight months of the year, its volume totalled 169,420 units – the highest among all models available in Europe. Munoz, noted: “It’s likely that the Model Y will become Europe’s most popular new passenger car by the end of the year. As a non-European model leading in Europe, it will be a remarkable and historic moment.” The Model Y led in Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as hitting the top five in both Germany and the UK.
Notable players include the Renault Clio (+145%); Tesla Model 3 (+307%); Volkswagen ID.4 (+61%); and the BMW X1 (+392%). Good performances were also recorded by the MG 4, the sixth topselling BEV; and the BMW iX1 registered 4,693 units. These were stronger than results posted by the Mercedes EQA (3,706 units); and the Volvo XC40 BEV (3,108 units). The Renault Austral, with 4,460 units, was the fourth most popular Renault; and the Jeep Avenger saw a strong month with 3,669 units – 2,127 of which were pure electric.
