Dacia Spring finally got a generous, but predictable price cut in European countries. Belgium and Luxembourg are first to get it, but other European countries will soon follow. These are the prices of the different variants in Belgium. ESSENTIAL: 10.590 euros EXPRESSION: 12.290 euros EXTREME: 14.290 euros These are the prices of the different variants in Luxembourg. ESSENTIAL: 10.240 euros EXPRESSION: 11.884 euros EXTREME: 13.818 euros These prices already include VAT, and no, there is no government subsidy involved. This means that in Belgium, you can get the fully equipped Dacia Spring EXTREME with the DC charging and front sensors options for 14.940 euros, or 14.446 euros if you get it Luxembourg.

Four years ago I wrote an article praising the Leapmotor T03. Back then the small electric car was only available in China with NCM batteries and it toke almost 7 months until it also got LFP batteries. Now, this great small electric car is finally coming to Europe with a WLTP range of 265 km, a 41,3 kWh (37,3 kWh usable) LFP battery and a price of 18.900 euros. This model arrives disassembled from China to Stellantis factory in Poland where it’s put together like an IKEA furniture.

August saw plugin EVs take 20.6% share in Germany, down from (an outlier) 37.0% share YoY. BEVs are now around the level they were in 2022, but PHEV share has halved since then. Overall auto volume was 197,322 units, down some 28% YoY, and far below 2015–2019 seasonal norms (~273,000 units). The bestselling BEV in August was the Tesla Model Y. The August auto market saw combined EVs take 20.6% share in Germany, with full electric vehicles (BEVs) at 13.7% share and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 6.9%. These compare with (anomalous) YoY figures of 37.0% combined, 31.7% BEV and 5.3% PHEV. The August 2023 market was distorted by a huge pull-forward of BEV sales ahead of the incentive cancellation for commercial buyers from September.

August’s auto market saw plugin EVs take 29.4% share in the UK, up from 27.8% year on year. BEVs grew in volume, whilst PHEVs shrank. Overall auto volume was 84,575 units, down 1% YoY and in line with pre-2020 norms. The UK’s leading BEV brand in August was Tesla, with 16% share of the BEV market. August’s auto sales saw plugin EVs take 29.4% share in the UK, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 22.6% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 6.8%. These compare with YoY shares of 27.8% combined, 20.1% BEV and 7.7% PHEV.

The August auto market saw plugin EVs at 22.4% share in France, down from 25.7% year on year. Volumes of both BEVs and PHEVs were down by over 33% YoY, declining more than the overall market drop. Overall auto volume was just 85,977 units, down 24.3% YoY, the weakest August since 2014, and far below 2016–2019 seasonal norms (~121,300). The Tesla Model Y was France’s best selling BEV in August.

The August auto market saw plugin EVs take 95.7% share in Norway, a new record, up from 90.0% year on year. BEVs alone took 94.3% share, with all other powertrains now only collecting crumbs. Overall auto volume in August was 11,114 units, flat YoY. The best selling BEV was the Tesla Model Y. August’s sales saw combined EVs take 95.7% share in Norway, with a record 94.3% full battery electrics (BEVs) and just 1.4% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 90.0% combined, with 83.5% BEV and 6.5% PHEV.

August saw plugin EVs take 56.0% share in Sweden, down YoY from 60.1%. BEV share fell YoY, while PHEV share was up. Overall auto volume was 19,036 units, down 20% YoY. The Tesla Model Y was the best selling BEV. August’s auto sales saw combined plugin EVs take 56.0% share in Sweden, with full battery-electrics (BEVs) at 35.7%, and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 20.3%. These shares compare YoY against 60.1% combined, with 41.0% BEV and 19.1% PHEV.

July saw plugin EVs at 19.1% share in Germany, down from 25.9% year on year. BEV share has even dipped below where it was 2 years ago, and PHEV share has also fallen since then. July’s overall auto volume was 238,263 units, down 2% YoY, and down around 23% from 2017–2019 seasonal norms (~310,000 units). The best selling BEV in July was the Tesla Model Y.

July saw plugin EVs take 27.4% share of the UK auto market, up from 24.1% year on year. Both BEVs and PHEVs grew volume YoY, outperforming the broader market. Overall auto volume was 147,517 units, up 2.5% YoY, still below pre-2020 seasonal norms (~160,000). The UK’s leading BEV brand in July was BMW. July’s sales tally saw combined plugin EVs take 27.4% share of the UK auto market, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 18.5%, and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 8.9%. These compare with YoY shares of 24.1% combined, 16.0% BEV and 8.1% PHEV.

As expected, the price of EV battery cells continues to fall in China. Let’s take a look to the average price of EV (Electric Vehicle) and ESS (Energy Storage System) battery cells in China. EV battery cells (July 2024) LFP (prismatic): 52 euros per kWh NCM 523 (prismatic): 61 euros per kWh NCM 523 (pouch): 64 euros per kWh ESS battery cells (July 2024) LFP (prismatic): 49 euros per kWh The EV battery cells are optimized for energy and power density, while ESS are mostly about cost, that’s why they are a bit cheaper.

July’s auto sales saw plugin EVs take 20.8% share in France, a drop from 23.3% year-on-year. BEV share was roughly flat YoY, while PHEV share fell. Overall auto volume was 126,037 units, down by some 2% YoY. The Renault Megane took the lead in the BEV rankings. July’s market tally saw combined plugin EVs take 20.8% share in France, comprising 13.5% full battery-electrics (BEVs), and 7.3% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 23.3% combined, with 13.1% BEV, and 10.3% PHEV.

July saw plugin EVs take 94.3% share in Norway, up from 89.9% year on year. BEVs alone took almost 92% of the market, close to a record, and PHEVs contributed 2.4%. Overall auto volume was 6,456 units, down 14% YoY. The Volkswagen ID.4 was the month’s best seller. July’s market results saw combined EVs take 94.3% share in Norway, a new record high, comprising 91.9% full electrics (BEVs), and 2.4% plugin hybrids (PHEVs). These compare with YoY figures of 89.9% combined, 81.7% BEV and 8.1% PHEV.