China now sells more affordable electric cars than any other part of the world combined. According to Reuters, the key to this success lies with Chinese brands , whose electric vehicles, while offering less range than cars like the Tesla Model 3 or the Nissan Leaf, have become genuine bestsellers. These vehicles, with their shorter range but greater affordability, have allowed China to lead the global electric car market.
At a more local level, in Spain, the growth in electric car sales has been spectacular, even without the help of government incentive programs at certain times. During September 2023, electric car sales skyrocketed, driven by models from Tesla and other brands such as Renault and BMW.
Electric cars in Spain
September 2023 was an exceptional month for electric car sales in Spain. According to data from ANFAC, sales grew by 15,24% compared to the same month of the previous year. This resulted in a total of 9.470 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in September 2023. Of these, 4.523 were pure electric cars, indicating a growing preference for zero-emission vehicles in the country.
Smart and BMW i3
One of the most notable success stories in the Spanish market has been that of the Smart ForTwo and the BMW i3 . In September alone, Smart sold 108 ForTwo units and 42 ForFour units. Surprisingly, BMW i3 sales figures were also impressive, with 110 BEV versions and 14 Rex versions sold, a considerable increase compared to the previous year. These types of vehicles have captured the attention of Spanish consumers, especially thanks to programs like the one launched by Endesa, which allowed its employees to purchase vehicles at very affordable prices.
Renault ZOE
However, we must mention the Renault ZOE , which remains the best-selling electric car in Spain, with 478 units sold so far this year. Despite increasing competition and some battery production issues due to demand, the ZOE has maintained a strong position in the Spanish market.
Nissan LEAF
Another classic in the electric vehicle market, the Nissan LEAF , has also performed well. In September, 61 units were sold, bringing the year-to-date total to 457 sales. Although a new version of the LEAF has already been announced for next year, this hasn't stopped the current model from remaining an attractive option for many consumers.
Tesla and the new sales trend
Another brand dominating the electric car market in Spain is Tesla . In September 2023, the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling electric car with 652 units registered, further solidifying its leadership in the country. The Tesla Model 3, meanwhile, sold 646 units, securing a prominent position.
In addition, Tesla has surprised with the demand generated by its discount campaign and the 'Tesla Boost' program, which has led to a substantial increase in sales of its cars in September. The company has been offering discounts of up to 3.290 euros on both models (Model 3 and Model Y), which has catapulted sales.
Other featured models
Regarding other electric vehicles that stood out in sales in September 2023, we find the CUPRA Tavascan with 223 units, followed by the Fiat 500e , which registered 274 units. These vehicles have helped to solidify the growing trend in the electric vehicle market.
The importance of sales figures
The evolution of electric car sales not only reflects consumer preferences, but also the competitiveness of brands in an emerging market. This growth is driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions, as well as the increased availability of electric models with more competitive prices. Tesla, Renault and other brands have been able to attract a significant number of consumers, especially in the pure electric car segment.
As for the outlook, many analysts expect the market to continue to grow, supported by the MOVES III Plan, which encourages the purchase of electric cars with discounts of up to 7.000 euros.
If the forecasts remain positive, the trend towards buying electric cars could become even more consolidated in the coming years, increasing the market share of these vehicles and definitively moving away from combustion engines as the main option.