The streets of Europe are buzzing, and it’s not just the hum of trendy coffee shops or the clatter of bicycle bells. No, there’s a silent revolution underway, one where the exhaust pipe is swapped for a plug and a battery. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are hotter than a sunburned tourist on a Spanish beach. But which models are making Europeans go absolutely bonkers? Let’s pop the hood and take a peek into the world of electrified horsepower.
First, a quick reality check: the petrol car may still be king of the road, but electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are the princes threatening the throne. In 2023, fully electric cars accounted for nearly 20% of new registrations in Belgium, while plug-in hybrids gobbled up a hefty 17.2% of the market in the first quarter. Diesels? They’ve been demoted to the rusty old tractor of the family, with a pathetic 11.2% market share. The numbers don’t lie: Europe is ready to plug in.
Let’s start with the electric champs, the cars that run on pure, clean, battery-powered swagger. Leading the pack is an American intruder that’s conquered European roads like a cowboy on a mechanical bull: the Tesla Model Y. This isn’t a car; it’s a spaceship on wheels. With a range that’ll make you say “blimey” and acceleration that leaves your stomach in your boots, it’s no wonder this SUV was Europe’s bestseller in 2022. In Belgium, it’s the undisputed champion, especially among companies looking to green their fleets. Let’s be honest: the Model Y isn’t just popular for its looks – which are, shall we say, an acquired taste – but because it’s affordable compared to premium rivals and has a network of superchargers that others can only dream of.
Hot on Tesla’s heels is BMW, storming in with an electric armada that’s making the competition sweat. The i4 and iX1 are Munich’s shining stars, with 4,198 and 4,305 units sold respectively in July 2024. BMW even knocked Tesla off its perch as Europe’s top EV brand that month, with a narrow lead of 14,869 versus 14,561 vehicles sold. The i4 is a sporty saloon that looks like it could file your taxes while overtaking you on the motorway. The iX1? A compact SUV that proves you don’t need a massive battery to impress. And we haven’t even mentioned the i5, i7, and iX3, which together make BMW’s electric line-up a serious force to be reckoned with.
But it’s not just Tesla and BMW stealing the show. Volkswagen is throwing its hat in the ring with the ID.4, an electric SUV that may not have the sex appeal of an Italian sports car but has the practical charm of a sturdy pair of hiking boots. Volvo’s EX30, built in China but with Swedish flair, is also a crowd-pleaser, mainly because it’s affordable without feeling cheap. And let’s not forget the Dacia Spring, the budget king that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to go electric. This little rascal is so popular it’s cracked Europe’s top 10, despite looking like a shopping trolley with a plug.
Then there are the plug-in hybrids, the cars that promise the best of both worlds: electric driving when you feel like it, petrol when you’re feeling lazy. But there’s a dark cloud looming. The European Union has decided that from 2025, these cars’ CO2 emissions will be measured more realistically, and that’s bad news for their tax breaks. Until now, plug-in hybrids were the darlings of businesses, especially in Belgium, where they held a 17.2% market share in 2023 thanks to tax incentives. But with the new Euro 6e standards, their emissions could double or even triple on paper, dulling their shine. Models like the BMW 320e and 330e, the Volvo XC60, and the surprisingly popular Lynk & Co 01 were stars in 2023, but their future looks shaky. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson round out the top five, but they too will need bigger batteries to stay in the game.
Why the shift? Simple: Europe’s getting tough. CO2 standards are tightening, and plug-in hybrids often aren’t used as electrically as the brochures claim. In the real world, many drivers cruise around with empty batteries, making these so-called “green” cars emit more than a clapped-out diesel on a bad day. The fix? Bigger batteries, like those in the latest Mercedes and BMW models, which can manage over 100 km on electric power alone. But even then, the future looks fully electric, with hydrogen remaining a distant dream that, for now, only exists in engineers’ heads.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for plug-in hybrids. In Belgium, they were wildly popular in 2023, especially with companies looking to green their fleets without going fully electric. The BMW 3 Series, with its 320e and 330e, is a favourite, as is the Volvo XC40, which rolls off the line in Ghent and is the country’s most popular company car. But with tax benefits slowly fading, many firms are switching to fully electric models. And honestly, who can blame them? A Tesla Model Y that catapults you from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds is far more thrilling than a hybrid you have to plug in like a vacuum cleaner.
What’s the takeaway? The European driver wants electric, but on their own terms. Some go for the flashy, futuristic Teslas, others for the reliable solidity of a BMW or Volkswagen. Then there’s the budget-conscious buyer who hops into a Dacia Spring and laughs at sky-high fuel prices. The plug-in hybrid may be in a bit of a rough spot, but for now, it remains a practical choice for those not quite ready to kiss the combustion engine goodbye.
So, what are you waiting for? Want to join this electric revolution? Dive into the world of Volty, where you can find the latest and greatest cars, from plug-in hybrids to fully electric beasts. Visit our marketplace at https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/ and find the car that makes your heart race – without the exhaust fumes.
