20 January 2025
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations achieved a record performance in Europe during November 2024, as, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) still struggled to gain traction. Tom Hooker, Autovista24 journalist, investigates the figures.
In November, a total of 185,522 BEVs took to European roads, an increase of 0.7% year on year. This was the powertrain’s highest-ever delivery total in the month, just over 1,200 units ahead of the previous record set in November 2023.
In contrast, PHEV volumes plummeted by 7.5% , with 84,147 registrations. This equated to a loss of more than 6,700 units compared to one year ago.
In the first 11 months of the year, BEVs dropped 1.2%, with 1.79 million deliveries. Despite this, the technology grew in seven of the months between January and November. This left the all-electric powertrain with a gap of around 21,800 units compared to the same period in 2023.
PHEVs fell 4.3% between January and November, with 865,993 registrations. The drivetrain suffered seven consecutive months of decline, after four months of growth from January to April.
Important model refreshes incoming?
The Tesla Model Y reclaimed its position as Europe’s best-selling BEV in November. Yet, with 17,761 registrations, the crossover was 2.1% below its delivery total from one year previously. It took a 9.6% share of the BEV market in the month, 0.2 percentage points (pp) down year on year.
Tesla’s bestseller, which is still in its first generation after its release in 2019, is now getting a refresh. The new design features a sleeker headlight and taillight layout.
After its table-topping performance in October, the Skoda Enyaq remained towards the top of the BEV table, securing second place. Its registration total improved by 14.4% year on year, with 10,182 units. The compact SUV captured 5.5% of BEV deliveries, up from 4.8% in November 2023.
Skoda recently announced a major update for the Enyaq. This includes the brand’s new Modern Solid design language, with a redesigned Tech-Deck Face and improved range.
Tesla’s Model 3 slumps
The Tesla Model 3 took third in November, with 7,912 registrations. This was a 54.8% slump compared to its result from 12 months ago, which was over 9,600 units higher. The sedan recorded a 4.3% share, down 5.2pp year on year.
In fourth came the Volkswagen (VW) ID.4, reaching 6,136 deliveries. This was a 7.3% increase on its November 2023 performance. ID.4 volumes made up 3.3% of the European BEV market, up from its 3.1% share 12 months ago.
The Volvo EX30 finished fifth, recording 5,895 registrations. The model took a 3.2% share in November. Close behind was the Audi Q4 e-Tron, with 5,760 deliveries, a drop of 19% year on year. The SUV accounted for 3.1% of registrations, down 0.8pp.
VW’s ID.7 secured seventh thanks to 5,228 deliveries. This marked a significant 414.1% surge on its total from November 2023, when the model was in its third month of registrations. It took a 2.8% share of total BEV deliveries, up from 0.6%. The ID.7 recently took part in a range efficiency test, where it covered 941km on one battery charge.
A new challenger?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA came eighth with 4,774 deliveries, up 34.2% on one year ago. This gave it a 2.6% share, up 0.7pp. Just 49 units behind was the VW ID.3, posting 4,725 registrations. Compared to 12 months ago this was an increase of 12.2%. The hatchback accounted for 2.5% of the BEV market, up 0.2pp.
Rounding out the top 10 was the BMW iX1. The SUV reached 4,447 deliveries in November, a decline of 19.7% year on year. It posted a 2.4% share, down from 3%. The iX1 and other BEVs in the top 10 could be threatened by the Renault Five.
The hatchback managed 4,213 registrations in November, with deliveries to customers beginning in October. Furthermore, it recently won the European Car of the Year award, along with its platform sibling the Alpine A290. This could help to generate more demand for the model.
BEV positions tighten
The Tesla Model Y comfortably remained the best-selling BEV in the year to date. However, its 181,770-delivery total was down 20.9% year on year. The crossover captured a 10.1% share of the market, down from a 12.6% share during the same period in 2023.
Its stablemate, the Tesla Model 3, held second with 98,616 units. Despite sitting over 83,100 units behind first, it has improved volumes by 11.9% year on year and kept a sizeable margin to third. It made up 5.5% of registrations, up 0.7pp.
The next two positions were very close together. Volvo’s EX30 came third with 72,537 deliveries and a 4% share.
The Skoda Enyaq also held a 4% share in fourth, 0.1pp ahead of its performance from one year ago. The SUV sat just 390 units behind after passing the 10,000-unit threshold for three consecutive months. Its total of 72,147 registrations was 2.5% up year on year.
Audi’s Q4 e-Tron finished fifth with 63,769 deliveries, down 0.3%. This gave it a 3.5% share, stable from 12 months prior. Then came the VW ID.4 with 57,544 units, a decline of 24.3% compared to the same period one year previously. The model accounted for 3.2% of registrations, down 1pp.
The VW ID.3 followed in seventh, posting 51,021 registrations, dropping 13.3% year on year. It took a 2.7% share, down 0.4pp.
BMW iX1 closes in
Another close battle was seen for eighth place. The MG4 delivered 48,421 models from January to November. This was a decrease of 23.3%, equating to a 0.8pp loss in share to 2.7%.
While the MG4 did not feature in the monthly top 10, the BMW iX1 in ninth enjoyed a stronger month. Its year-to-date volumes have increased by 26.8%, with 47,850 deliveries. It also held a 2.7% share, up 0.6pp on the same period one year ago. Around 600 units separate the two models going into December.
Rounding out the top 10 was the BMW i4. Demand for the model dropped 1.2% from January to November, with 40,969 registrations. It captured 2.3% of the market, stable from one year ago.
The BMW i4 could come under pressure from the Mercedes-Benz EQA in the last month of the year. The latter sits just under 1,800 units outside of the top 10 after a strong November result.
Volvo victorious again
Volvo’s XC60 was the most popular PHEV in November, thanks to 5,646 deliveries. This was a 25.7% increase on the same period in 2023. The SUV made up 6.7% of the market, up from 4.9%.
The VW Tiguan was some distance behind in second, with 3,854 units. The SUV increased volumes by 117.5% year on year. It accounted for 4.6% of PHEV registrations, 2.7pp ahead of one year ago.
In third came the BMW X1. The SUV recorded 3,847 deliveries, a 40.4% improvement from November 2023. The X1 also posted a 4.6% market share, up from 3%. The Ford Kuga finished fourth with 3,514 units. This was 12.8% down on 12 months prior. It captured 4.2% of the market, a decline of 0.2pp.
Sixth went to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, with 3,406 registrations. The model saw volumes decrease 11.1% from November 2023, giving it a 4% share. This was down from 4.2%. The BMW X5 secured seventh, recording 2,621 units, an increase of 39.8% year on year. It represented 3.1% of BEV deliveries, an improvement of 1pp.
The Volvo XC90 took ninth, reaching 2,264 registrations. This was a 28.4% surge from 12 months ago. It made up 2.7% of the market, up 0.8pp year on year.
The BMW 5-Series came in ninth, with 2,244 deliveries. This equated to a significant increase of 339.1% on one year ago. The sedan achieved a 2.7% share, ahead of its 0.6% market hold in November 2023.
In 10th, the Mercedes E-Class also posted a sharp year on year gain. With 2,129 registrations, its volume increased by 173.7%. It accounted for 2.5% of the PHEV market, up 1.6pp.
Mercedes-Benz under pressure
The Volvo XC60 was the best-selling PHEV in the year to date, thanks to 52,215 deliveries. This was 38.2% more than its total during the same period in 2023. It took a 6% market share, up from 4.2%.
Second place went to the Ford Kuga, some distance behind first with 40,947 registrations. This was down 15.8% year on year, while its share fell 0.7pp to 4.7%.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC came in third. The SUV recorded 36,955 deliveries in the year to date, up 23.1%. It accounted for 4.3% of registrations, an increase of 1pp compared to one year ago.
However, the model is facing increasing pressure from the BMW X1, which sits around 1,700 units behind in fourth after a positive November. Its 35,215 deliveries were up 51% on January to November 2023. Furthermore, its 4.1% share was an improvement on its 2.6% market hold from one year ago.
In fifth was the Cupra Formentor, with 26,239 units, up 18.5%. It took a 3% share, an increase of 0.6pp. The Porsche Cayenne secured sixth with 23,033 registrations. This was a 101.4% surge year on year. It made up 2.7% of PHEV deliveries, up 1.4pp.
BMW 3-Series moves up
The first position change in the table came in seventh, as the BMW 3-Series moved up. The sedan registered 22,790 units from January to November, down 2.9% on 12 months previously. Yet, its share remained stable at 2.6%.
It displaced the Kia Sportage, with volumes declining 12.2% year on year. This equated to a total of 22,703 deliveries. It also held a 2.6% market share, a 0.3pp drop on the same period in 2023.
The Volvo XC90 also gained a position, jumping into ninth with 21,579 registrations. This figure is up 50.7% from one year ago. The SUV made up 2.5% of PHEV volumes, up from 1.6%.
Falling down was the Audi A3, despite demand improving 57.3% year on year. Its 20,535-unit total gave it a market share of 2.4%, an increase of 1pp.
