In August, plug-in electric car sales in Europe increased quite noticeably, reaching the highest market share so far this year.

According to EV Volumes data, shared by Jose Pontes, in August, 270,356 new plug-in electric cars were registered in Europe, about 68 percent more than a year ago. That’s about 30 percent of the total volume.

The all-electric car segment expanded even quicker with a surge of 106 percent year-over-year to almost 200,000 units, taking more than one-fifth of the market (22 percent). That’s about three times more than in the United States.

Plug-in car registrations for the month:

• BEVs: *198,000 (up 106%) and 22% market share
• PHEVs: *72,000 and 8% market share
• Total: 270,356 (up 68%) and 30% market share

* estimated from the market share

So far this year, more than 1.9 million passenger plug-in electric cars have been registered in Europe, which is about 23 percent of the total market.

Plug-in car registrations year-to-date:

• BEVs: *1.28 million and 15% market share
• PHEVs: *0.64 million and 8% market share
• Total: 1,945,828 (up 35%) and 23% market share

* estimated from the market share

For reference, in 2022, more than 2.6 million new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered in Europe (about 23 percent of the total volume).

The Tesla Model Y noted a very strong month with 21,824 new registrations in August and once again securing the first position among rechargeable cars in Europe.

Interestingly, the Tesla Model 3 also was very strong with 11,998 new registrations, beating the top Volkswagen Group MEB-based models – Volkswagen ID.4 (8,439), Skoda Enyaq iV (8,075), and Volkswagen ID.3 (6,878). Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that Volkswagen BEV sales improved recently.

Results for the month:

1. Tesla Model Y – 21,824
2. Tesla Model 3 – 11,998
3. Volkswagen ID.4 – 8,439
4. Skoda Enyaq iV – 8,075
5. Volkswagen ID.3 – 6,878
6. MG 4 – 6,733
7. Dacia Spring – 5,973
8. Fiat 500 electric – 5,847
9. Audi Q4 e-tron – 5,442
10. Cupra Born – 5,205

After the first eight months of 2023, the Tesla Model Y remains a lone leader, while the Tesla Model 3 returned to second position, slightly ahead of the Volkswagen ID.4.

Results in January-August:

1. Tesla Model Y – 171,914
2. Tesla Model 3 – 60,902
3. Volkswagen ID.4 – 58,853
4. Volvo XC40 (33,034 BEVs + 19,296 PHEVs) – 52,330
5. Volkswagen ID.3 – 46,589
6. Skoda Enyaq iV – 45,562
7. MG 4 – 44,507
8. Fiat 500 electric – 43,260
9. Audi Q4 e-tron – 42,267
10. Dacia Spring – 38,923

Tesla remains the most popular plug-in car brand in Europe, by registration volume, while the Volkswagen Group is beyond reach for any other automotive group (when counting BEVs and PHEVs together).

Top brands by share in the plug-in segment in January-August:

• Tesla – 12.3%
• Volkswagen – 8.7%
• BMW – 8.1%
• Mercedes-Benz – 7.4%
• Volvo – 5.7%
• Audi – 5.3%

Top automotive groups by share in the plug-in segment in January-August:

• Volkswagen Group – 20.4% share (Volkswagen brand at 8.7%)
• Stellantis – 14.0%
• Tesla – 12.3%
• BMW Group – 9.7% share (BMW brand at 8.1%)
• Mercedes-Benz Group – 8.3% (Mercedes-Benz brand at 7.4%)
• Hyundai Motor Group – 8.5%
• Geely–Volvo – 8.1%