In a remarkable turn of events, the European manufacturers’ association ACEA reports that, for the first time, electric cars have outpaced diesel cars in new registrations across the EU in June. The surge in popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has been unprecedented, with new registrations of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) skyrocketing by an impressive 66.2 per cent compared to the same month last year, totaling 158,252 cars. This notable achievement translates to a 15.1 per cent share of new registrations, a significant leap from the 10.7 per cent recorded in June 2022.
Conversely, diesel cars’ market share experienced a decline from 17.4 per cent to 13.4 per cent, reflecting the shifting preferences of European consumers. Plug-in hybrids also experienced a slight drop in market share, falling from 8.2 per cent to 7.9 per cent in June.
Data from ACEA further revealed that the total number of newly registered battery-electric passenger cars in the EU for the first half of the year reached an impressive 703,586 units, marking a substantial 53.8 per cent increase from the same period last year. Overall, EVs accounted for a notable 13.0 per cent share of all types of cars registered during this time frame, indicating a growing acceptance of cleaner and more sustainable mobility options.
Notably, the renowned market research company Dataforce reported that the Tesla Model Y emerged as the best-selling model across all drive types in Europe, both for the month of June and the first half of the year. The pure electric car’s popularity surged remarkably, with a staggering 125,144 units registered in the first half of 2023 compared to 40,147 units in the same period the previous year.
The Model Y’s dominance, however, was not simply a result of weak competition, but rather a testament to Tesla’s strong growth in the European market. The Dacia Sandero secured the second position, trailing the Model Y by approximately 7,000 sales, with the VW T-Roc following at an additional 11,000 vehicles behind. Interestingly, the Tesla Model 3 secured 50th place with 38,843 units registered in the first half of the year.
The rise of electric cars in the EU is an encouraging sign for the automotive industry and the efforts to transition towards a more sustainable future. Despite temporary declines in EV registrations earlier in the year in some countries due to adjusted subsidy guidelines, the recent surge in registrations clearly indicates a promising rebound in the demand for electric vehicles.
As the market for electric cars continues to evolve, industry experts and policymakers are optimistic about the ongoing shift towards cleaner, greener, and more environmentally friendly transportation solutions in the European Union.
