Nowadays, there are quite a few different electric cars, but the list of the most popular models remains relatively unchanged. Until 2024, because in that year Tesla lost its mile-long lead over the competition. This makes it interesting to take a look at the best-selling electric cars in Europe and how the top list has changed, and of course why this is the case.
This electric car is the most sold in Europe
In 2023, there was only one real leader when it comes to the most popular electric cars in Europe, as both the first and second positions were taken by Tesla. The Tesla Model Y sold more than a quarter of a million units in Europe, the Model 3 followed with around 100,000 units. The Tesla models were followed by the Volkswagen ID.4 (83,000), Skoda Enyaq (79,000) and the MG4 (72,000). Models such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Fiat 500e and the Volkswagen ID.3 did not even make it into the top 5. The Dacia Spring, the cheapest car in the entire top list, also only just made it into the top 10.
The top 5 most popular electric cars in Europe in 2024
2024 brought a blow for Tesla. The top position was taken by the Renault Zoe, which suddenly managed to climb to a market share of more than 15%. Tesla's Model 3 is still in second place, but its market share dropped to only 12%. In third place is Volkswagen's e-Golf, partly because the ID.3 could not be pushed through and the e-Golf therefore remained in production longer than originally intended. The top 5 is completed by the Audi e-tron and the Peugeot e-208. The Tesla Model Y is of course no longer in the list of the most popular electric cars in Europe for 2024.
Future expectations: a downer for Tesla?
Tesla has long been the leader, breaking numerous sales records with models that topped the global sales charts. In recent months, that enormous lead has slowed considerably, for a number of different reasons. One of the main reasons is the opening of Tesla Superchargers to non-Tesla models. Previously, only Tesla drivers could charge at the Superchargers, which offered the best coverage in terms of fast chargers. Now that this network can also be used by people who drive an electric car from another brand and other providers have opened numerous fast chargers, that sales pitch has been swept off the table. But that's not all. It is also the case that the other car manufacturers have caught up with Tesla.
Tesla's models were the best electric cars for a relatively low price for quite some time. Now that brands like Audi and Volkswagen are also very busy with innovative, affordable cars, Tesla's big lead has disappeared. Incidentally, the American company itself has contributed to this by building up long waiting lists where customers often had to wait months for the delivery of their car.
The question is which car manufacturer will make the next big hit, but it is also clear that numerous car manufacturers have and will bring strong and interesting models to the market, so it is only a matter of time before we know which models will be the most popular electric cars in Europe in 2024.
How relevant are these lists of popular models really?
Previously, the lists of best-selling or most popular electric cars were fairly irrelevant. After all, there was only a limited supply, meaning that the same models appeared on all lists. Today, the picture is completely different, because there are many more electric models. The popularity of the models clearly shows which models are in high demand, and this makes the list of the most popular electric cars (as well as the shift in interest) more relevant than ever for people looking for an electric car.
