VW ID. Buzz. Image: VW.
German automaker Volkswagen has edged ahead of American EV darling Tesla in its home market thanks in part to the arrival of the increasingly popular ID.Buzz electric van.
The latest figures from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) published over the last few days show that the tight race between Volkswagen and Tesla has swung in the home team’s favour.
Tesla has been leading with the highest number of new EV registrations over the first half of the year, but in July VW edged ahead – with 41,475 new EV registrations over the first seven months compared to Tesla’s 40,289.
The battle between the two automakers is playing out across several models. In July, for example, the ID.4/ID.5 (basically twin EVs, with one an SUV and the other a coupe) dominated with 4,028 new models registered, while the Tesla Model Y only managed 2,067.
However, when looking at the first seven months, the Tesla Model Y is well ahead of the ID.4/ID.5 combo, with 29,892 new models registered compared to 22,405.
Well behind for both companies are the respective VW ID.3 and Tesla Model 3, with 13,647 new registrations and 9,045 respectively.
Helping tip VW over Tesla after seven months have passed appears to be the ID.Buzz, the electric version of VW iconic iconic Kombi van that was launched last year. It has seen 2,279 models registered so far this year, including 536 in July alone as the company ramps up production.
Trailing behind Volkswagen and Tesla are three more German automakers. Mercedes-Benz, with only 20,613 new EV registrations over the first seven months of the year, comes in third, ahead of Audi (16,786) and BMW (15,987).
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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