The most popular EVs across the world in the first half of 2024
20 August 2024
Which electric vehicles (EVs) were the most popular in the first six months of 2024? José Pontes, data director at EV Volumes, examines the global trends with Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus.
With nearly 1.5 million units sold in June 2024, global EV registrations were up 15% year on year. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales increased by just 4% compared to June 2023, while deliveries of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) jumped 41%. The technology reached over 500,000 units, setting a new record in the process.
Combined, these two powertrains represented 22% of the overall global automotive market in June, with BEVs accounting for 14% alone. The all-electric technology accounted for 63% of EV registrations, meaning the share between January and June held at 64%.
In the first half of the year, EVs accounted for 18% of all registrations across the world, with all-electric models making up 12% alone.
Tesla in top two
The Tesla Model Y led the global EV market in June with 119,503 registrations. The Tesla Model 3 followed in second, profiting from the carmaker’s regular end-of-quarter peak to record 65,267 deliveries.
Following the US carmaker, BYD claimed seven spots in June’s top-10 chart for EVs. Aiming to take on internal-combustion engine models, the carmaker’s pricing strategies are clearly still paying dividends.
The new Li Auto L6 was the only passenger car not from Tesla or BYD to make it to the top 10. The midsize SUV saw 23,864 registrations in only its third month on the market, placing it in seventh in June.
The highlight of BYD’s impressive performance was the new Qin L. The new model shot straight to the top 10 in its first month in the market, recording 18,021 registrations. This variant could be connected to the Qin Plus’s relatively slow month, as both occupy a similar place in the OEM’s lineup.
Lower down the table, Zeekr saw its flagship 001 model finish in 16th, with 14,600 sales. The model’s recent refresh has ensured a third record result in a row. The Xiaomi SU7 also joined the top 20, taking 17th in June. The sedan can be expected to keep climbing up the best-sellers table in 2024. A top 10 position is likely to come before the end of the year.
The GAC Aion Y and Volkswagen (VW) ID.3, both celebrated new record scores for 2024. The Chinese crossover MPV ended the month in 13th with 17,258 registrations, while the German hatchback recorded 16,949 deliveries.
Volvo sees success
Volvo enjoyed success outside of the top 20. The recently introduced EX30 hit a record 11,711 registrations. While deliveries stabilise in Europe, the crossover has been launched in China, so its growth trajectory is expected to continue. It could even make it into the top 20 soon.
Another model which shone in June was the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It recorded 10,048 sales, its best result since last August. Similarly, both the Audi Q4 e-Tron (10,825 units) and the MG4 (12,410 units) posted year-best scores.
However, both of Wuling’s best sellers, the Mini EV and the Bingo, missed the top 20. This was the first time in years that the brand was unable to place a model in the chart.
A familiar podium
During the first half of 2024, the Tesla Model Y and the BYD Song held onto the top spots. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 profited from its end-of-quarter peak to take third from the BYD Qin Plus.
This top-three lineup replicates the full-year results from 2023 and 2022. It seems unlikely that there will be further changes by the end of the year. Therefore, 2024 is likely to be the third year in a row with the same standings.
The next position change happened in seventh. The BYD Destroyer 05 kept rising to switch with the Aito M7, which was pushed down to eighth. GAC’s Aion Y recovered some positions, with the crossover MPV climbing to 13th. Thanks to a strong June, the VW ID.3 climbed two positions to 16th.
Finally, due to a slow month from the Changan Lumin, both the BYD Tang (18th) and Aito M9 (19th) climbed one position each. This market trend is seeing small city cars losing relevance while full-size models keep rising.
The top 20 currently hold five models from both the A and B segments as well as the E and F segments. With the Changan Lumin in 20th and the Zeekr 001 in 21st, the scales might tip in favour of the larger models.
