TESLA is still the number one battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand globally propped by sales of its Model Y, especially in export markets. BYD is now the world’s largest electric vehicle maker. This is according to Cleantechnica’s “World EV Sales Report.”
BYD follows Tesla in the all-electric category but is the global leader in both BEV and plug-in EVs–a commanding 1.8 million cars versus Tesla’s 1.34 million total production. BYD already stopped producing ICE-powered vehicles in April last year and with its focus on electrification is expecting a net profit of about 17B Yuan versus 3B in 2021. It also now has the most expansive line-up of both BEVs and PHEVs of any car maker in the world.
BYD also manufactures electrified commercial vehicles and leads in this segment too. In the US the BYD electric bus fleets is now starting to dominate California’s transportation lines, all the vehicles made in the US. The company said it had it achieved strong sales growth and significantly improved profitability and had “effectively relieved the cost pressure brought about by the rising upstream, according to a Reuters report.
Tesla’s 18.2 percent share of the global BEV market is a significant drop from its 2021 share of 21 percent. This market share is difficult to achieve considering the current diversification process in electric vehicles with plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and pure hybrids eating up the BEV pie. BYD takes second place with a 12.6 percent share, a 5 percent gain versus the same period last year.
The study also points to the fact that from a preference perspective, a noticeable shift to PHEVs happened, prompted by sales in China, as it remains to be the biggest market worldwide. The global market grew tremendously with China leading the pace. But growth was led by Australia (352 percent), followed by India (256 percent), then US (118 percent), Japan (104 percent), then Belgium (75 percent). The rest of the countries in the global EV chain increased in 20 to 65 percent, including the Philippines.
As of June 2022, 1,018 electric vehicles were sold and registered in the country. That is a mere 28 percent increase from 843 units sold the previous year. Toyota claims 962 of that number leaving the remaining 56 units shared by Nissan, WM, Porsche, Audi, and Mitsubishi. These numbers however mean that in the BEV category, the jump in sales is almost 90 percent, focused mostly on the Nissan LEAF.
“Last month, BEVs grew by just 5 percent YoY, their lowest growth rate since the COVID-hit month of June 2020, while PHEVs were up by 21 percent, mostly thanks to the increasingly PHEV-friendly Chinese market. What happens in the Chinese market is always important globally – this market represented 52% of all global sales of electric cars in January,” Jose Pontes, who led, and created the study for Cleantechnica, America’s number on renewable energy and electric vehicle website. Pontes also said that plugin hybrids in China are mostly range-extended vehicles, with large batteries sized between 30—40 kWh and typically include fast-charging capability.
Some 10.5 million new BEVs and PHEVs were delivered in 2022 a total 55 percent increase year-on-year compared to 2021. The number however, represents less than 15 percent of global car sales. In this recovery period after the pandemic, the regional growth pattern is shifting. But weak overall vehicle markets and persistent component shortages have taken their toll, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine,” Roland Irle author of EV-Volumes said. EV-Volume compiles sales of electric vehicles worldwide.
EVs gained only 15 percent increase in 2022. However, in conditions were stronger in some markets. EV sales in USA and Canada increased by 48 percent year-on-year, despite a weak overall light vehicle market which plunged by 8 percent in 2022.
PHEVs stood for 27 percent of global EV sales mix in 2022, 2 percent lower compared to 2021. While their sales volumes increased, the share in the PEV mix is declining partly because of incentive perks of BEVs. Sales growth is dependent on the degree of electrification. The rapid outlay of charging stations in certain markets like North America, China, Japan and parts of Europe, as well as policies for zero emissions and ESG goals affect this number.
Full hybrids grew by 15 percent and mild hybrids by 1 percent. A full hybrid gets its initial propulsion from an internal combustion engine and shifts to battery power once the momentum is overcome. It uses both the ICE and motor to keep the vehicle running at its most efficient performance. All Toyotas are full hybrids. Mild hybrids use mostly ICE power and intermittently shift to battery as a power assist. An example is the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid.
