The Volkswagen ID.3 was the best selling fully electric car of October 2020 throughout Europe, JATO Dynamics confirmed. Furthermore, electric car registrations – which included fully electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and mild hybrid cars – increased 153% year-on-year even though the new car market dropped overall due to coronavirus. Let us consider a few more interesting facts.
In October 2020, European new car registrations dropped overall by 7% to 1,127,624 (year-on-year). That said, electric models bucked the trend and became more popular. 302,587 found homes which equated to 26.8% market share. Significantly, therefore, electric cars took more market share than diesels. The latter have become unpopular due to the harmful carbon emissions.
Fully electric vehicles
The Volkswagen ID.3 was the most popular fully electric car as registrations totalled 10,475, in October 2020. The ID.3 is best perceived as a small family class hatchback and it is a similar size to its sibling, the Volkswagen Golf Hatchback. It also gets other traits typical of the class such as 5 doors, a 385 litre boot, and family friendly features such as folding rear seats. Further expect:
- power: 204 hp
- 0 to 62 mph: 7.3 seconds
- transmission: automatic
- range: 260 miles per-charge.
Drivers also bought other fully electric vehicles in good numbers in October 2020, JATO Dynamics revealed. The Renault Zoe, for example. 9,778 found homes so it was the second most popular. This was followed by the: Hyundai Kona (5,261), the Kia Niro (3,868), and the Peugeot 208 (3,757). In total, fully electric vehicle sales totalled 71,800. That was a year-on-year increase of 197%.
Plug-in hybrid
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a prestigious, compact, and fashionable hatchback/saloon and it was the best selling plug-in hybrid in October. 4,209 left the forecourt. The 1.3 litre petrol engine and motor produce 218 hp, it has 8-speed auto transmission, and a lot of equipment. The car can also travel 44 miles via the motor only if the battery is full. Expect 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds.
In October 2020, other plug-in hybrids were popular too. The Volvo XC40, for example. It was the second best seller as 3,728 found homes. It was followed by the: Volkswagen Passat (3,606), BMW 3 Series (3,597), and the Audi Q5 (3,565).
Hybrid & mild hybrid
The Toyota Yaris was the best seller in the hybrid and mild hybrid category. 13,338 left the forecourt. This supermini’s 1.5 litre petrol engine and electric motor produce 116 hp (combined), it has a youthful vibe, and modern styling. The Yaris also reaches 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and emissions start from 92 g/km.
The Toyota Corolla was the second best seller in this category (9,728). It was followed by the: Fiat Panda (9,611), Ford Puma (9,054), and the Fiat 500 (7,420).