In the month of June, the global sales of plug-in electric cars displayed remarkable growth, nearly setting a new all-time monthly record. Falling just short of the previous best result by a slight margin, the sales figures underscore the escalating adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the globe.
According to data provided by EV-Volumes and shared by Jose Pontes, a total of 1,260,470 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered on a global scale during June. This figure indicates an impressive 38 percent surge when compared to the figures from the previous year. Moreover, these registrations accounted for approximately 19 percent of the overall automotive market.
The data reveals that nearly one in every five newly registered passenger cars during that month were equipped with rechargeable capabilities. When combined with non-rechargeable hybrids, EVs constituted a substantial one-third of the worldwide automotive market.
The lion’s share of plug-in cars that found buyers in June were fully electric vehicles (BEVs), with approximately 862,000 units, contributing to a 13 percent market share. In comparison, around 400,000 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were sold, comprising a 6 percent share of the market.
The distribution of plug-in car registrations for the month can be outlined as follows:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Roughly 862,000 units, constituting a 13% market share.
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Approximately 398,000 units, contributing to a 6% market share.
- Total: 1,260,470 units (reflecting a year-over-year growth of 38%) and a combined market share of 19%.
Estimations from market share statistics have been utilized for the aforementioned figures.
Looking at the cumulative data for the current year, the tally of registered plug-in electric cars worldwide has surpassed 5.8 million units, equivalent to approximately 15 percent of the total vehicle volume.
The year-to-date plug-in car registration figures for 2023 can be presented as follows:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Roughly 4.1 million units, contributing to a 10% market share.
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Around 1.7 million units, representing a 5.0% market share.
- Total: 5,831,864 units (indicating a 40% year-over-year increase) and constituting an estimated 15% market share.
Once again, the estimates have been derived from market share data.
To provide a reference point, it’s worth noting that the year 2022 witnessed the registration of more than 10 million new passenger plug-in electric cars globally, marking a significant milestone in the EV industry.
Notable Performers and Trends in Model Sales
During June, the Tesla Model Y retained its position as the leading plug-in model in terms of sales on a global scale. An impressive tally of over 132,000 new registrations firmly established its dominance.
The Tesla Model 3 also showcased a strong performance, with nearly 69,000 units registered during the month. Additionally, the landscape of the top-selling plug-in models included five BYD model families, two GAC models, and one Wuling model, signifying the robust presence of Chinese EVs in the market.
The top 10 performing plug-in models for the month of June were:
- Tesla Model Y – 132,593 registrations
- Tesla Model 3 – 68,850 registrations
- BYD Song Plus – 42,810 registrations (comprising 2,221 BEVs and 40,589 PHEVs)
- BYD Qin Plus – 42,093 registrations (comprising 11,423 BEVs and 30,670 PHEVs)
- BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3) – 36,546 registrations
- BYD Dolphin – 26,627 registrations
- BYD Han – 23,306 registrations (comprising 11,133 BEVs and 12,173 PHEVs)
- GAC Aion S – 22,488 registrations
- GAC Aion Y – 20,587 registrations
- Wuling Bingo – 19,740 registrations
It’s important to note that both BEV and PHEV versions of the same models were combined in the source data.
Prominent Brands in Plug-In Car Sales
BYD emerged as a standout performer in the plug-in electric car market, garnering over 240,000 new registrations during the relevant period. Even in its peak month, Tesla managed to secure around 211,000 registrations, yet couldn’t surpass BYD’s remarkable achievement.
The top 10 plug-in car brands for the month of June were:
- BYD – 240,563 registrations
- Tesla – 211,414 registrations
- BMW – 45,380 registrations
- Volkswagen – 45,144 registrations
- GAC Aion – 45,028 registrations
- SAIC-GM-Wuling – 37,085 registrations
- Mercedes-Benz – 33,100 registrations
- Li Auto – 32,575 registrations
- Changan – 29,621 registrations
- SAIC – 26,581 registrations
When examining the cumulative figures for the first half of the year, it becomes apparent that BYD and Tesla have established themselves as dominant players with 1,191,405 and 888,879 registrations respectively. These figures place them significantly ahead of other brands. Notably, only about half of BYD’s volume is attributed to BEVs, underscoring Tesla’s position as the foremost manufacturer of battery electric vehicles.
Several other brands have surpassed the 200,000 unit mark. Interestingly, Chinese brand GAC stands poised to contend for the third position, directly challenging Volkswagen for a spot on the podium.
In conclusion, the strong growth and impressive sales figures for plug-in electric cars in June 2023 reflect the ongoing global shift towards sustainable mobility. The market’s evolving landscape is characterized by the dominance of certain key players, notably Tesla and BYD, while Chinese automakers continue to exert their influence on the industry. As the adoption of electric vehicles gains momentum, the automotive market is poised for further transformation.
