Energizing India News, 18 Oct 21′
The global market for electric and plug-in hybrid cars edged out sales of diesel vehicles by 10,100 units in August 2021.
For the first time in Europe, electric vehicles outsold diesel vehicles in passenger car sales. According to JATO Dynamics data, EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles outsold diesel vehicles by 10,100 units in August 2021. In Europe, 151,737 EVs and plug-in hybrids were registered, an increase of 61% year on year, allowing the EV segment to achieve its second-highest monthly market share of 21%. Interestingly, passenger car sales fell across the 26 European markets in August, with a total of 713,714 units sold, a drop of 18% from the same period last year.
JATO data also revealed that electric versions of the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, Hyundai Kona, Opel Corsa, and Kia Niro were in high demand. During the month, the Volkswagen ID.3 remained Europe’s best-selling EV. The ID.3 was the 15th best-selling vehicle in the European market, with 7,904 units sold. The Tesla Model 3 came in second with 7,824 units sold, while the Volkswagen ID.4 came in third with 4,624 units. With 3,621 units sold in August, the Ford Mustang Mach-e was the fifth best-selling EV in Europe, trailing only the Renault Zoe.
In response to the decline in passenger car sales in Europe, Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics, stated, “The chip shortage has been a major setback for OEMs who are still dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic. Production issues and delays in the delivery of new cars have hurt sales, and a lack of inventory at dealerships is forcing many customers to look for used cars or simply postpone their purchases. Consumers may expect to wait months for a new Ferrari in normal circumstances, but they are now experiencing the same delay for regular models.”
Since January of this year, approximately 1.32 million EVs and plug-in hybrids have been sold in Europe. In terms of total passenger car sales, the year-to-date total stands at 80,95,419 units, representing a 12.5% increase year on year. “Although deals and incentives have played a significant role in boosting demand,” Munoz continued, “we have seen a fundamental shift in buying habits as more appealing models have entered the market and consumers have become aware of the benefits associated with EVs.”
In terms of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling model in Europe in August 2021. The model sold 14,961 units, beating out the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Yaris, and Dacia Duster for first place.
Globally, the auto industry had a sour year in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, yet the electric car market outperformed the overall trend with a growth of over 40%. Europe, China & The USA have all seen an increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales. Over 2.6 million units were sold in the first half of 2021, representing 26% of new sales in the global automotive market. Net sales increased by 160% year over year in the first half of 2021. The spending on electric vehicles has risen 50% to USD 120 billion over the past year. In addition, government assistance measures totaled USD 14 billion, a fifth consecutive year in which they declined as a percentage of total spending. Although government subsidies are still a huge factor in encouraging electric vehicle adoption, this indicates that consumer choice is increasingly driving sales. Electric vehicles are crucial in reducing emissions. In “well-to-wheel” terms, their net contribution to reducing emissions, which is already evident, will increase at the same rate as electricity generation can decarbonize.
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