About 6.5 million EVs sold worldwide in 2021 – up 109% on 2020, says technology market analyst Canalys.
The total global car market grew just 4% in 2021 as it struggled with COVID-19 restrictions and chip shortages, EV sales representing 9% of all passenger car sales in 2021.
EV demand stayed strong, and many more would have been sold but for chronic component shortages still affecting car makers, Canalys says.
About 85% of EVs sold globally were delivered to Mainland China customers (3.2 million EVs – 15% of all new cars sold) and Europe (2.3m EVs – 19% of new cars).
In comparison, just 4% of new cars sold in the US in 2021 were EVs, some 535,000 units.
“Many new models are launching every month in each important market segment from tiny, inexpensive city cars to mainstream and premium sedans and SUVs,” says Canalys principal analyst Jason Low.
“About 15% of new cars sold in 2021 in Mainland China were EVs – more than double the percentage in 2020, and there is still a huge opportunity for growth in 2022 and beyond.”
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV was the best-selling EV model in Mainland China in 2021.
Tesla EVs held the next two places, with the Model Y overtaking the Model 3.
The Model Y has launched in the UK and other right-hand-drive markets
Electrek reports that Elon Musk said ‘Tesla is prioritising the product development of the Optimus humanoid robot (aka Tesla Bot) in 2022‘ over other products, including its new vehicles.
EV competition globally is increasing, Canalys says.
“BYD has expanded its range of EVs and was the leading EV brand in China with several popular fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. Other brands with strong EV sales in 2021 in Mainland China included Aion, Changan, Chery, Li Xiang, Ora, Roewe and Xpeng.”
Europe still has the highest level of EV adoption though.
Traditional car makers are increasingly electrifying their product ranges there, Canalys says.
EVs represented 19% of total car sales in 2021 with 2.3 million vehicles delivered.
The Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling electric car in Europe in 2021, but Volkswagen Group was the leading EV manufacturer, with several models from Audi, Skoda and VW selling well.
“In many European countries EVs represented more than a quarter of new cars sold. but customers must be patient. A nine to 12-month wait time for a new EV is not unusual,” says Canalys analyst Ashwin Amberkar.
Tesla continues to dominate US EV sales with a nearly 60% share.
“The competition’s EV sales are nowhere near Tesla’s in the US since Model 3 shipments ramped up in 2018,” says Canalys vice president and chief analyst Chris Jones.
“Pick-up trucks will give the US EV market a huge lift in 2022. Rivian was first to deliver at the end of 2021, while Ford and GM have had strong interest in the F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer Pickup respectively.”
Tesla led the worldwide EV market with a 14% share. Model Y sales started in the major markets in 2021 and quickly overtook those of the Model 3 in Mainland China and the US.
Volkswagen Group was second with a 12% market share – doubling its EV sales in 2021 compared with 2020. Nearly 60% of the group’s EV sales were from the VW brand, with good support from Audi, Cupra, Porsche, SEAT and Skoda.
SAIC, which includes SGMW (SAIC, GM and Wuling) was third with an 11% share with SAIC-owned brands Baojun, Maxus, MG and Roewe contributing.
BYD came fourth with a share of 9% and a strong 2021 second half, increasing EV sales by more than 200% last year with at least 12 models available in Mainland China, some with EV and PHEV versions.
It has also expanded beyond Mainland China (including to Australia and New Zealand), launching the first model based on its new e-platform 3.0 toward the end of 2021, with more new models on the platform to come this year.
Stellantis was fifth with a 6% market share, Peugeot, Opel/Vauxhall and Fiat vehicles all selling well in Europe. It will produce four new EV platforms to use across the group’s 14 brands.
BMW Group held a 5% share in 2021, growing its electrified vehicle sales by 70%, but it lost ground to its faster-growing competitors.
The China-built BMW iX3 was its best-selling EV in 2021, with the Mini Cooper SE second ahead of the aging BMW i3.
Hyundai Motor Group held a 5% EV market share in 2021. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 launched in mid-2021, while the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro sold well in 2021.
Canalys says the group has navigated the chip shortages better than most competitors.
