BMW knocks Tesla off the throne as the brand that delivered the most electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe for the first time in a long time. The German car company managed to sell more EVs to European customers than its US rival in July.
This is according to data from Jato Dynamics. The huge success of the Tesla Model Y, amongst other factors, meant that the American car manufacturer had long been the frontrunner in terms of the number of EVs delivered in Europe. However, this changed in July; for the first time, BMW has taken the lead. The difference is not significant, however. BMW sold a total of 14,869 EVs to European customers. Tesla follows closely behind with 14,561 units.
Tesla Model Y still the most sold
Zooming in on the sales figures shows that BMW owes its lead to two models. It delivered 4,305 units of the electric BMW iX1 and 4,198 units of the BMW i4. However, the best-selling EV model in July was still the Tesla Model Y, of which the US company managed to sell 9,544 in Europe.
The figures also show that demand for the Volkswagen ID.4 in particular fell sharply; VW sold 40% fewer units of this model than a year earlier. Another strong faller was the MG 4, which sold 33% fewer. Demand for the Skoda Enyaq fell by 27%.
The strongest riser was the Audi Q4, which sold 27% more units. The BMW iX1 follows with 25%, while demand for the BMW i4 rose 23%. Relative newcomer Volvo EX30 scores well and is in second position with 6,573 models sold.
Volvo EX30 also popular in the Netherlands
The Volvo EX30 is also popular in the Netherlands, according to figures from BOVAG. In July, 970 new units were registered, giving the electric Volvo a market share of 11.8 per cent. The Tesla Model Y follows with 829 registrations and a market share of 10.1 per cent. The Kia Niro is in third place with 712 units registered and an 8.7 per cent market share.
Figures from BOVAG show that demand for Tesla models is declining. In June 2024, 1,768 Tesla Model Ys were registered, whilst 1,664 Model 3s were registered. Together, the two models accounted for a market share of 29.7% at that time. Tesla left its competitors far behind in June; the Volvo EX30 is in third place with 1,172 registrations and a market share of 4.4%.
Hybrid models in the Netherlands in the lead
Looking at sales by fuel type, it is notable that hybrid models lead by far. For instance, according to BOVAG, 12,648 hybrid vehicles were registered in July 2024, accounting for a 47.1% market share. A month earlier, hybrid vehicles still accounted for 43.4% of all cars sold. EVs followed in July with 8,207 registrations and a market share of 30.6%. This represents a slight drop in market share from the 31.2% market share EVs still held in June.
Demand for petrol vehicles remains relatively strong; 5,543 petrol vehicles were registered in July, accounting for a 20.7% market share. However, demand is slightly lower than in June, when 23.6% of cars sold were petrol-powered. Demand for diesel models is very limited with a market share of 1.2% and similar to a month earlier. In absolute numbers, the number of registrations is 331.
European demand for EVs declines
Looking at Europe, EVs' market share fell from 14.6% in July 2023 to 13.5% in the same month this year. Jato Dynamics attributes this decline to the lack of clarity around EV incentives, which makes consumers reluctant. Jato Dynamics also points to the relatively limited residual value of many EVs, which also plays a role.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Goran Horvat via Pixabay
