Looking for EVs - From Portugal to Italy

This year, on our post-summer road to Sweden, instead of doing the shortest way there (PT-ES-FR-BE-NL-DE-DK-SE), we decided to make a small (big) detour, and followed the Mediterranean Sea until Italy, then we went through Italy on out way to Budapest, then headed north to Wroclaw, Poland, to visit some friends, and finally went on our way to Sweden.

So i decided to check out how the EV fauna looked like along the way:

Portugal - After leaving Aveiro and passing by one Nissan Leaf and a Renault Zoe in the suburbs, i only saw a new EV in Viseu, in this case, a BMW i3, something that confirmed my assumption that electric cars are still an urban thing;

ICE-ing: Still a plague in many places

Spain - Saw one Renault Zoe in Salamanca and...nothing else until Madrid. Spain's wide open spaces are an EV desert.

In Madrid, EVs returned, with 2 Zoes and 1 BMW i3, all company cars. 

After leaving Spain's capital, we returned to the EV desert, until getting close to Barcelona, not only the landscape looks different, and EVs start to pop up left and right, with the first Teslas starting showing up, one Model S, two Model S, one Model 3...

In Barcelona there are plenty of EVs, with several Nissan e-NV200 vans, Renault Zoes, Tesla Model S, BMW i3, Hyundai Kona EV...

Car-sharing is also relevant, while local taxis and police cars are hybrid Toyota Prius, it's like this city lives in a different universe than the rest of Spain!

Citroen e-Mehari: Maybe the most French of all French EVs...

France - Crossing Southern France highways, both Teslas (2 Model S, 1 Model 3) and PHEVs (2 Outlander PHEV, 1 Mini Countryman PHEV) were possible to be seen, but when we arrived to the Nice and Cannes area, we noticed once again that urban areas continue to be BEV's natural habitat: there we saw 4 Renault Zoe, a couple of Twizy (Twizzies?), one Peugeot iOn, one Kona EV and the e-Mehari, seen above. 

Funny enough, in this area, apart from a Model S, we saw no Luxury EV around, but we did saw some vintage cars, one Lanborghini, a couple of Ferraris...

#poor people drive Teslas

In Monaco, the most common EV was the Renault Twizy, with several units of the tiny two seater fighting space with countless scooters, while other small electric cars were also popular (4 Smart EV, 2 Zoe, 2 BMW i3...), but it seemed as larger the EV is, the less common it becomes (2 VW e-Golf, 1 Peugeot Partner EV van and 1 Tesla Model X).

Funny enough, we say more Maybach (2), than Teslas (the Model X).

As a final note, the parking lots have so much diversity, that deserved a post of their own. But because we don't have time, look at the picture above...

Italy - Not a lot to talk about, as the low EV share is visible by its absence on Italian roads, we saw just one Panamera PHEV (i think it was the PHEV version, we could only see for a few seconds, before disappearing in the horizon...), one VW Passat GTE (with Dutch license place, so it doesn't count), and a Model 3.

The best thing road tripping Italy was actually listening to Virgin Radio, airing some of the best classic rock tracks on Earth, ideal for the kind of travelling we were doing.

Spain August 2019

Want a 7-seater EV, but can't afford a Tesla Model X? 

Then, this is it, your only choice, the Nissan Evalia EV

Outlander PHEV wins August, but Tesla Model 3 remains #1 YTD

The Spanish plug-in market hit 937 units in August, up 83% YoY, while looking at market share, August reached 1.2%, keeping the 2019 PEV share at 1.3%.

As for last month best sellers, the #1 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scored 113 registrations last month, a good result for the veteran model, that allowed it to strengthen its 3rd position. 

Good news also for the Renault Zoe, that recovered the 5th spot, while the remaining position changes happened in the second half of the table, with the Range Rover Sport PHEV pushing its heavy body to #17, and the Porsche Panamera PHEV joining the ranking at #19.

With the sleek Porsche Taycan now out on the open, it sure will be interesting to see how the Panamera PHEV will behave, now that its BEV sibling is casting its long, wide shadow, over it. 

Just outside the Top 20, things are pretty balanced, with the #21 Audi e-Tron (133 units), #22 Tesla Model S (125) and Tesla Model X (121), all focused in a Top 20 spot, less than 15 units away.

On the manufacturers ranking, the race is pretty hot, with Tesla (14%) and Nissan (13%) running for Number One, while BMW (11%), Hyundai (10%), and Mitsubishi (9%), all race for the last place in the podium.

Spain May 2019

Want a 7-seater EV, but can't afford a Tesla Model X? 

Then, this is it, your only choice, the Nissan Evalia EV

Nissan Leaf #1 in hot market

The Spanish plug-in market hit 1.569 units in May, up 83% YoY, with both powertrain technologies scoring 50%-plus growth rates, so plugin hybrids in Spain aren't hit yet by the PHEV doom and gloom of other markets, especially when this performance was made on the background of a declining (-5%) overall market.

Looking at market share, May reached 1.2%, keeping the 2019 PEV share at 1.3%.

As for last month best sellers, the #1 Nissan Leaf scored 208 registrations in May, a good result considering the 62 kWh version is landing soon. 

Good news also for Nissan from the van-with-windows Evalia EV, that jumped 4 positions to #15, thanks to 99 registrations, a new record for the Barcelona-made model.

If the Leaf is keeping the Model 3 at bay (at least until June…), the race for the last place of the podium and the Best Selling PHEV title is as hot as a summer afternoon in Seville, with only 11 units separating the #3 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV from the #4 Mini Countryman PHEV.

The most important position change happened in the 6th position, with the Renault Zoe surpassing the BMW i3, thanks to 115 registrations (new year best), an impressive result, considering the competition is about to get much tougher (Peugeot 208 EV, Opel Corsa EV...), and the Zoe itself is only a few months away from deep changes.

Other models shining were the Smart Fortwo EV, jumping 3 positions to #9, while the Koreans continue their never ending rise and rise, this time with the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV climbing to #12, thanks to 65 registrations, a new personal best, and the Kia Niro PHEV was up #14.

Three recently landed long range BEVs close the Top 20, with the battery-constrained Kia Niro EV in #18, followed by the Jaguar i-Pace, in #19, and the Audi e-Tron in #20.

On the manufacturers ranking, the race is pretty hot, with Nissan (14%, up 2%) climbing to Number One, followed by Tesla (12%), all while BMW (11%) surpassed Hyundai (10%) in the race for the last place in the podium.

Spain March 2019

Tesla Model 3 tsunami (Spanish edition)

The Spanish plug-in market hit 2.084 units in March, and the interesting thing is that both powertrain technologies have helped to this good result, as not only BEVs jumped 192% YoY, to 1.301 units, but PHEVs have also surged in March, having registered 1.721 units, up 157%, so plugin hybrids in Spain aren't yet hit by the doom and gloom that is hitting them elsewhere.  

Looking at market share, March reached 1.7%, with 1.1% belonging to BEVs, while the remaining 0.6% comes from PHEVs.

As for last month best sellers, the big news was the first full deliveries month of the Tesla Model 3, with 396 units, being a big contributor for the 62% BEV share within plugin sales. 

While it wasn't enough to beat the all-time record (554 units, in October '17, by the Renault Zoe), this Model 3 performance allowed it to jump to the leadership, surpassing the Nissan Leaf, that surprinsingly enough, had a record performance last month, with 278 registrations, an outstanding feat, considering the arrival of the 62 kWh version in a couple of months, and the possible damage that the Model 3 could have done to it.

If the Leaf is growing and has a shot at racing the Model 3 for the 2019 title, its Renault Zoe relative is on the opposite trend, down 63% to 56 units, and dropping in the 2019 ranking to #7. It seems the 2017 & '18 Best Seller won't be able to make a treble.

The BMW Group had a strong month, with the Mini Countryman PHEV scoring a record 178 units, pulling it to #4, while the BMW i3 delivered 118 registrations, the nameplate best result in 18 months, allowing it to climb to #6, and finally, the BMW 225xe A. Tourer delivered 166 units, a new year best, jumping to #8.

Other models climbing positions are the VW e-Golf, now #9, while the Volvo XC60 PHEV has broken its personal best, with 79 registrations, allowing it to climb to #11, and the Kia Niro PHEV is now #15.

Three recently landed long range BEVs are already showing up on the Top 20, with the promising Audi e-Tron in #17, followed by the Jaguar i-Pace, in #18, and the Kia Niro EV in #19.

If the Tesla Model 3 deliveries are jumping through the roof, the remaining lineup is sinking, with both model sales shrinking over 50% YoY. If the Model S drop (only 7 units last month) is easily explained by the cannibalization of its younger sibling Model 3, the Model X (11 deliveries) drop is not so simple to explain, as the Model 3 is not direcly impacting its sales, and the Model Y is still some time off. 

I believe the most immediate reason for the Model X sales slump is called Audi e-Tron, despite not being as good or efficient as the Californian, the fact is that it is an alternative, something that so far it didn't existed, until now, if you wanted a large EV, you only had Tesla to choose from, wether you liked or not, so the American maker had that segment of the market all to itself. Not anymore. 

On the manufacturers ranking, the race is pretty hot, with Tesla (14%) the new Number One, followed by Nissan (13%), while Hyundai (11%) is now a close Third, and the #4 BMW, with 10% share, is seeking to recover a podium place.

Spain January 2019

Kona EV Shines

Despite the lack of incentives, the Spanish plug-in market is growing, last month it hit 1.113 units, up 52% YoY, with the 2019 PEV Share starting at 1.1%, also thanks to the mainstream market dropping 5%.

Looking at January best sellers, the big news were the 127 registrations of the Hyundai Kona EV, the Crossover best month so far, pulling it to 3rd spot, only behind the 151 units of the #2 Nissan Leaf, and the 165 registrations of the leader Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, that performed its best result ever in Spain.

Interestingly, there is a majority of BEVs on the Top 20, with two Citroen(!) in the ranking, with the e-Berlingo showing up in #13, with 33 deliveries, while the forever-young C-Zero is #15, with 20 units, while another van-with-windows, the Nissan e-Evalia (12 units) is #19.

Jaguar Land Rover also showed up with two representatives, with the much awaited i-Pace joining the ranking in #16, while the Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV, besides winning the prize for longest name, started 2019 in #8, with 48 deliveries.

On the manufacturers ranking, the race started pretty balanced, with Hyundai (16%) leading, followed by Mitsubishi and Nissan, both with 15% share, with Mitsu leading by a thread (165 units vs 163).

Spain December 2018

Close race

Despite the lack of incentives, the Spanish plug-in market is growing fast, with December hitting a record 2.256 units, jumping 126% YoY to 2.256 units (and a record 2.3% share), with the 2018 tally ending at over 11.000 units, a 56% increase over the 2017 result, allowing the 2018 PEV Share to end at a record 0.9%. 

This is just a sign of the big changes happening in the mainstream market, with Diesel tanking, being responsible for only 36% of sales in 2018, while in 2017 it still had 48% share. Will we see new Diesel vehicle sales ending by 2021/22? I wouldn't bet against it...

Looking at last month best sellers, the big news were both Smart nameplates pulling record results, with the Forfour ED reaching 340 units and becoming the December Best Seller, allowing it to end the year at #7, while its two-seater sibling rose to #5. Was this a one time event (backlog clearance), or is this a sign that Smart will be a major player in 2019?

In a record month, there were plenty of relevant results, the leader Renault Zoe scored its best result of the year, with 291 deliveries, the runner-up Nissan Leaf delivered a record 204 units, the BMW 225xe A. Tourer jumped three positions to #9, thanks to a surprising 284 deliveries, the Volvo XC60 PHEV also hit a record number of registrations (48), pulling it to #12, and last, but not the least, the local Hyundai importer managed to get 124 units of the Kona BEV in December, with the electric Crossover joining the Top 20 in #14.

After a close race, the final results of the 2018 models ranking crowned the Renault Zoe as the Year Best Seller, adding the 2018 title to its first, of 2017.

The Nissan Leaf collected yet another runner-up place, while the 2016 winner, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, won the Bronze Medal and another Best Selling PHEV title.

On the manufacturers ranking, the race was pretty close, with BMW (13%) finally winning the trophy, its first in Spain, with Smart (12%) stealing at the last moment the Silver Medal from last year winner, Renault (12%).

Looking at this year race, sales will continue to grow fast, with share possibly reaching 2% by year end, with the Zoe and Leaf continuing to be the strongest candidates, while there will be a number of outsiders (Smart EVs, Outlander PHEV, Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona BEV…) hoping to get in the middle of the race between the top two.

Spain September 2018

Close race

Despite the lack of incentives, the Spanish plug-in market is still growing, last month it hit 856 units, up only 3% YoY, pulling the 2018 tally to 7,260 units, with the PEV Share stable at 0.7%. Wirg the current slowdown, it became unlikely the perspective that this market would reach 1% by year end.

Looking at last month best sellers, the big news were the 141 registrations of the Nissan Leaf, being a big contributor for the 56% BEV share within plugin sales.

The remaining September Podium went for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Silver), with 108 units, a new Year Best, while the BMW i3 was Third, with 101 registrations, the nameplate best performance in 12 months.

The 2018 models ranking shows a close race for #1, with the top four separated by just 60 units, with the Outlander PHEV and Nissan Leaf being the current favorites.

An important model has landed last month, with the much awaited Hyundai Kona BEV landing with 38 units, if the local importer manages to get enough units from the Mothership, then we will see this model reach the Top 20 soon.

The #16 Tesla Model X has surpassed its older sibling, the Model S, thanks to 21 deliveries, its best result in six months, and with the long shadow of the Model 3 hanging over the Model S, do not expect this to change soon.

On the manufacturers ranking, the race is pretty hot, with BMW (14%, up 1%) winning precious advantage over Kia (12%, down 1%), while Renault (11%, down 1%) is a close Third, while Nissan is the new #4, with 10% share (Up 1%).

Spain June 2018

Record Month in a PHEV Fest

Despite the lack of incentives, the Spanish plug-in market continues to grow fast, in June it hit record heights, with 1,284 units, up 86% YoY, pulling the 2018 tally to 5,003 units, and the PEV Share to 0.7% (0.9% in June). Will we see this market reach 1% by year end?

Looking at last month best sellers, the big news were the 382 registrations of the Kia Niro PHEV, that thanks to a car-sharing deal (I have already lost count on the number of car-sharing companies operating in Madrid), it broke the PHEV record for any single model in this market, leading a PHEV uprise in June, with this kind of technology surging 162% YoY, allowing several models to jump positions in the ranking, starting with the aforementioned Niro PHEV, that went from #4 into the leadership, a sensational move from the Korean CUV, after this jump, will we see the Kia resist in #1 and see Spain crown for the first time a Kia as their Best Selling Plug-in?

But it wasn't only the Niro PHEV to shine in the plug-in hybrid field, the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV registered 30 units, a new Year Best, jumping to #11, while the Volvo XC90 PHEV returned to the Top 20, thanks to 27 deliveries, also a Year Best. 

The BMW Group had brilliant results across the range, with the Mini Countryman PHEV returning to its best form, scoring 150 deliveries, a new personal best for the British CUV, allowing it to climb to #7, while BMW's own 530e also registered a new record, with 21 sales, the little i3 had a Year Best result of 70 units, climbing one position to Fifth, and the 225xe AT also hit a Year Best (57 units), returning to the Top 20 in #16.

With BEVs in general losing positions in the ranking, the Tesla Model S was the exception confirming the rule, with the American Sports Sedan jumping three positions, to #14, profiting from the usual last month of quarter peak.

Outside the Top 20, and after a long deliveries drought, the Audi A3 e-Tron seems to be having its mojo back, registering 28 units (Year Best), losing a Top 20 position by just one unit (64 deliveries in 2018).

On the manufacturers ranking, there was a complete makeover, with Kia jumping into the leadership (14%, up 4%), followed by BMW (13%, up 3%), while Renault (12%, down 2%)dropped two positions, to Third.

Smart (10%, down 2%), was kicked out of the podium, and now has Mitsubishi and Nissan, both with 9%, getting dangerously close.