If you are asked to name a brand of electric car, chances are you will mention Tesla. Indeed, since entering the market in 2012, the firm has established itself as a benchmark in this field. And this is thanks to an innovative strategy and attractive vehicles, in particular thanks to their on-board technologies. A real tour de force from the American brand, which delivered more than a million cars last year and intends to go even further in 2023. We owe our success, in particular, to Model 3 and Model Ywhich are selling like hotcakes, especially in Europe.

We are happy to partner with Tesla Service to provide service during the same hours as often as possible! Application of Formula 1 crew technique to Tesla.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2022

Volkswagen is in the lead

Indeed, the electric sedan and SUV are the 1st and 2nd best-selling models in Europe in the last year. And for good reason, no fewer than 137,052 Model Ys were produced in 2022. Several models were also very successful, such as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5, as well as Fiat 500 electric. Dacia Spring, for its part, was left behind in the European market, although it is a hit here. But is Tesla the manufacturer that sold the most electric cars in Europe last year? Well, no. It really is a Volkswagen.

Great success

The Wolfsburg-based firm has indeed outpaced the American manufacturer, now based in Texas, by selling no less than 349,174 cars. By comparison, Tesla sold “only” 232,018. That’s still a great number! Stellantis then it is placed on the 3rd step of the podium, ahead of the Hyundai-Kia and Renault group. Then come BMW, Mercedes and Geely. Meanwhile, sales of Chinese brands have increased by 129% over the past year.