June H1 2020 West European electric car market round-up

"H1 bump in the road sets the stage for a much stronger second half as those late to the compliance game push"

Key Updates:

Western Europe:

• France tops European month/YTD volumes
  

• Tesla's regional market share halved 
  

• W-European H1 volumes already outpace FY 2018
  

• Breathtaking leasing deals fuelled by government subsidies boosting plug-in volumes
  

• UK first half volumes outpace Norway's
  

• UK now Tesla's largest European market
  

• Mercedes EQC finally about to shine
  

• PHEV/BEV almost at parity
  

• CO2 values remain at new historically low levels
  

European electric car sales 12-month rolling total up to June 2020 and historical trend

Renault Zoe No.1 model

Fuelled by its domestic market's increase in government subsidies (up to €12,000, with €5,000 scrappage bonus included), Renault's Zoe finished H1 2020 as the region's top model, with every second West European Zoe (49%) remaining in domestic France  

UK BEV market now larger than Norway  

Thanks to a benefit-in-kind fiscal tax change, UK BEV volumes have now surpassed Norway's, with manufacturers such as Tesla targeting UK company car drivers with increased supply. As a consequence, the UK is now Tesla's largest European market. 

China slowly returning while Europe remains in growth Impacted by COVID earlier than Europe, China witnessed its negative quarterly growth pace narrow in Q2, against high volumes last year before incentives were cut. It could well return to positive territory in Q3 due to the same quarter subsidy cut last year.

German EV production increases as compliance bites Latest VDA data shows 7.9% of all passenger cars manufactured in Germany in May were plug-ins, as volumes return following corona shutdowns. VW told this report they still expect to manufacture 100,000 Zwickau assembled MEB vehicles this year as planned.

Daimler volumes ahead of BMW Group's in June

Two years after its initial press preview, Mercedes' EQC is finally increasing volumes and consequentially helped Daimler move ahead of BMW Group BEV volumes in the month of June.

Market outlook:

Impacted by the corona pandemic outbreak the revised 2020 forecast remains at 556,000 (58% y/y growth) from the original forecast of over 700,000 at the start of the year. This would equate to a 5 per cent share of a total market falling by -20 per cent. PSA said they expect a 25 per cent contraction across the European region.

This is just a summary of The European Electric Report Car Sales Monthly Market Intelligence Report which is published on a monthly basis and are available here.