Tesla slipped behind VW in European EV sales last year

Electric vehicle aficionados may feel a pang of disappointment regarding the U.S. shift towards EV adoption. However, the narrative across the Atlantic tells a different story, showcasing a more optimistic outlook in Europe. Despite a sluggish recovery from the pandemic that has impacted the European car market, overall vehicle sales saw a modest increase of 2.2% last year. In a remarkable turn, electric vehicle sales surged by 29%, elevating their market share to an impressive 19.5%. Data from automotive analyst JATO Dynamics reveals that Volkswagen emerged as the standout performer in the EV sector. In a historic first, Volkswagen's electric vehicles outsold those of Tesla, with VW's sales skyrocketing by 56%, contrasted by a 27% decline in Tesla's sales. To put these figures into perspective, Volkswagen sold 274,278 electric vehicles compared to Tesla's 236,357. This figure solely accounts for the Volkswagen brand, which also includes successful models from Skoda (4th place with 171,703 sales), Audi (5th place with 153,845 sales), Cupra (15th place with 79,269 sales), and Porsche (21st place with 32,715 sales). These results underscore Volkswagen's remarkable turnaround just over a decade after the Dieselgate scandal tarnished its reputation.