European BEV sales in H1 2020

The first half of this year was very peculiar. Thanks to the COVID-19 lockdowns ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car sales dropped a lot, which is great. However, this also means that automakers don’t have to sell as many electric cars as was previously estimated to comply with EU emissions regulations this year…

As expected Volkswagen started the year very strongly delivering the veteran Volkswagen e-Golf and the new triplets (Volkswagen e-up, SEAT Mii Electric and ŠKODA CITIGOe iV). However, as soon as Volkswagen realized that it wouldn’t need to sell the triplets to comply with EU emissions regulations, the automaker hit the brakes extremely hard.

Now, until next year the SEAT Mii Electric is no longer available to order in Germany, the ŠKODA CITIGOe iV had a huge price increase and the Volkswagen e-up has its deliveries pushed to next year.

The reality is that Volkswagen can easily comply with EU emissions regulations just by delivering the ID.3 later this year…

We might not like it, but the triplets are Volkswagen’s backup plan, just like the Twingo ZE is for Renault. These are the electric cars that will be made and sold if the automakers conclude that the more profitable ID.3 and ZOE aren’t enough to reach EU emissions targets.

Anyway, let’s see the top 10 of BEV sales in Europe during the first half of 2020.

1. Renault ZOE: 37.540
2. Tesla Model 3: 33.164
3. Volkswagen e-Golf: 17.639
4. Audi e-Tron: 13.538
5. Peugeot e-208: 13.266
6. Nissan LEAF: 12.925
7. Hyundai Kona Electric: 11.527
8. Kia e-Niro: 8.495
9. BMW i3: 8.477
10. Volkswagen e-up: 7.428

Nothing surprising here.

The electric supermini Renault ZOE has the perfect form for the European market and the new generation with more range, faster charging, improved interiors and security is now better than ever.

As for the Tesla Model 3, it’s much better suited for North Americans that like big cars for road trips, but without real competition in its segment sales have been great.

Now the biggest disappointments in this ranking are clearly the Nissan LEAF and the BMW i3. Both are likely to receive NCM 811 batteries soon, first the Nissan LEAF during this year and then the BMW i3 next year.

It’s a shame how Nissan neglected the once EV leader, the LEAF. This electric car urgently needs:

• At least 400 km (249 miles) range in WLTP from a 65-70 kWh battery
• Decent TMS and a battery warranty of 500.000 km or 10 years to demonstrate confidence in it
• Charge the battery by default only to 70 %, but allow the driver to choose the limit when required
• Replace CHAdeMO with CCS as fast charging standard
• 11 kW on-board charger and 22 kW optional (two in parallel)

Otherwise the Volkswagen ID.3 will take away from it any remaining sales…

As for the BMW i3, next year we can expect a final upgrade to 150-160 Ah NCM 811 battery cells that will give it a total battery capacity of 52-56 kWh for a WLTP range around 400 km (249 miles). It might also get an optional 22 kW on-board charger.