Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Nearly Match Europe’s Other Eight Best-Selling EVs Combined in Record September

Tesla extended its lead in Europe’s electric-vehicle market in September, according to market researcher Dataforce figures reported by Automotive News on October 21. The Model Y led with 40,971 sales, up 55% year on year, followed by the Model 3 at 25,057 — more than double its year-ago volume. Together the two Teslas totaled 66,028 registrations, just 325 fewer than the 66,353 registrations of the other eight models in the top 10 combined.

The month was a record for European EVs overall. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data put September sales at almost 600,000, up 39% year on year and 10% above the previous monthly record set in June. BEVs did most of the heavy lifting, jumping 50% versus 16% for plug-in hybrids. The UK, France, Spain, Portugal and Finland all posted their highest-ever monthly EV sales; France climbed 78% to almost 80,000 units and Germany rose 61% to 117,000.

Europe’s strength contrasts sharply with North America, where EV sales fell 44% in September. Through September, Europe has sold 3.9 million EVs, up 30% year on year — the region is now the global EV industry’s main growth engine. Globally, 15.5 million BEVs and PHEVs sold through September, up 3%, with Europe the only major market posting a record month.