In 2021, hybrids surpassed diesel in Spain for the first time while electric ones continue to grow

Car sales in our country are going through a very special moment. If we take a complete photograph we see that in 2021, 859,477 units were registered in our country, according Ideauto in data collected from the DGT, just 0.97% more than in 2020, which is very bad news for the sector. Far are the 1,258,251 sales of 2019. A year in which, on the other hand, it was already decreasing. However, electrified vehicles have received a significant boost. Sufficient or logical in the context of the market?

The truth is that electric vehicles have grown notably in our country in 2021. In total, 23,686 units have been registered, 32.14% more than last year. But despite everything the figures are certainly still testimonial in the total weight of the market. This increase in sales barely leaves electric companies representing 2.76% of registrations in our country, just over the 2.11% with which it closed last year.

In the absence of an infrastructure that supports the purchase of an electric car, the market is opting for the hybrid vehicle (plug-in or not), leaving behind the diesel and pure gasoline options, which fell 27.44% and 8.42% respectively. In fact, 2021 is the first year that hybrids (non-plug-in) outperform diesel, as they have managed to star in 25.53% of registrations, in contrast to diesel, which remains at 19.91%.

Hybridization as a preliminary step to a completely electric market

The evolution of the market towards full electrification is a fact. Manufacturers follow each other in announcements about the steps they will take in the coming years. The European institutions are betting on the end of diesel and gasoline and in Spain we have legislatively adapted to this. But meanwhile, the charging infrastructure in our country it is still poor and prices of the electric car are still high.

The market, therefore, is moving towards the hybrid (plug-in or not) as a preliminary step. Non-plug-in hybrids have grown by 59.67% in registrations in 2021 and represent 25.53% of total sales in our country. Last year they absorbed 16.14% of registrations. Another striking growth is that of plug-in hybrids. Its growth has been 85.47% and its impact has been noticeable in total sales, growing from 2.74% to 5.03%. The gap opened with the electrics is evident.

The best-selling electrified technology by technology

If we talk about the best sellers, in the electric market, Tesla continues to be the reference with its Model 3. This year they have managed to register 2,853 units, 134.62% more than last year and, in addition, to establish itself with 12.05% of total sales. This good news for Tesla adds to that achieved last October, when in Europe it managed to become the best-selling car, including combustion cars. They are followed at a distance by the Kia Niro with 1,715 and a market share among electric vehicles of 7.24% and the Renault Zoe, with 1,373 units (5.8% of electric vehicles). The Dacia Spring (1,059 units) and the Peugeot e-208 (1,029 units) close the Top 5.

• Tesla Model 3: 2,853 units in 2021.
• Kia Niro: 1,715 units in 2021.
• Renault Zoe: 1,373 units in 2021.
• Dacia Spring: 1,059 units in 2021
• Peugeot e-208: 1,029 units in 2021

Among the plug-in hybrids, the Peugeot 3008 has been the best-selling model, with a growth of 176.72% and 4,148 units registered. Figures that separate it from its competitors and that account for 9.60% of the market share in this technology. The second best-selling PHEV is the Kia XCeed with 1,855 units and 4.29% of the market share, growing by 137.21%. The Mercedes A-Class PHEV is the third best-selling (and that is the only one that falls among the top five, 1.95%) with 1,759 units and 4.07% of all plug-in hybrids. It is followed by another Mercedes in fourth place, the GLC plug-in hybrid (1,605 units) and the Volvo XC40 as the fifth best-selling plug-in hybrid (1,595 registrations).

• Peugeot 3008: 4,148 units in 2021.
• Kia XCeed: 1,855 units in 2021.
• Mercedes A Class: 1,759 units in 2021.
• Mercedes GLC: 1,605 units in 2021.
• Volvo XC40: 1,595 units in 2021.

Lastly, among the non-plug-in hybrids, Toyota returns to dominate the list of best sellers. The Corolla is the best placed with 16,983 units registered, followed by the C-HR, with 15,011 units sold. The Fiat 500, with 13,803 units, is the third best-selling hybrid, followed by the Hyundai Tucson (12,357 registrations) and the Toyota Yaris (8,794 units). Just Toyota’s three best-selling models already account for more than 18% of non-plug-in hybrid sales.

• Toyota Corolla: 16,983 units in 2021.
• Toyota C-HR: 15,011 units in 2021.
• Fiat 500: 13,803 units in 2021
• Hyundai Tucson: 12,357 units in 2021.
• Toyota Yaris: 8,794 units in 2021.

Bestsellers among combustion models

If we take into account all the technologies that are sold in our country, electrified or not, gasoline and SUVs have become the preferred options of consumers and 2021 has not been an exception. The Seat Arona has been the best-selling vehicle this year in Spain, with 21,946 registrations, closely followed by the Hyundai Tucson, which with 21,258 units sold almost managed to break Seat’s hegemony in our country, as Dacia did last year. Close the podium the Dacia Sandero, with 20,149 registrations. Below, the Peugeot 2008 (19,426 units) and the Toyota Corolla (16,983 registrations) close the Top 5. The Corolla is, once again, the only electrified model in its entire range that is among the five best-selling models in our country .

• Seat Arona: 21,946 units in 2021.
• Hyundai Tucson: 21,258 units in 2021.
• Dacia Sandero: 20,149 units in 2021.
• Peugeot 2008: 19,426 units in 2021.
• Toyota Corolla: 16,983 units in 2021.

Source | Anfac