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One other nice month for Volkswagen Group.

Some 240,000 plugin automobiles had been registered in Europe in February, rising 17% yr over yr (YoY), which is a very constructive signal when contemplating that the general market was down 3% in February, to fewer than a million items.

Apparently, BEVs are those pushing the market upwards, rising 26% YoY in February to 167,000 items. However much more hanging is the truth that these constructive numbers are being achieved regardless of Tesla’s present gross sales crash. The US firm noticed its deliveries fall by 43% in February.

If we had been to exclude Tesla’s volumes from the BEV tally, then BEVs would have surged by 45% in February and 49% YTD!

And with Tesla’s gross sales crash anticipated to be eased in Q2, with the amount launch of the refreshed Mannequin Y, anticipate the BEV resurgence to proceed, a minimum of till the tip of the primary half of the yr.

Speaking about PHEVs, there’s additionally excellent news right here, as they appear prepared to go away detrimental numbers quickly. Their YTD numbers had been down by solely 2%, to 150,000 items.

As such, February noticed the plugin automobile share of the general European auto market keep at 25% (17% full electrics/BEVs), according to the year-to-date numbers.

These outcomes additionally saved the 2025 BEV/PHEV share breakdown at 69% vs. 31%, which is nice information for pure electrics, as the ultimate end in 2024 was 67% for BEVs and 33% for PHEVs.

Lastly, wanting on the gross sales breakdown between the remaining powertrains, in addition to the same old steep fall of diesel gross sales, down 28% YoY to 9% share now (vs. 12% share in February 2024), petrol is now additionally in a dying spiral. Petrol automobiles noticed their gross sales fall by 24% YoY, and their share dropped from 36% a yr in the past to twenty-eight%.

In addition to BEVs, the opposite main winner this yr is plugless hybrids, with HEV gross sales leaping 35% YoY, to 35% share. That’s a big improve over the 29% HEVs had 12 months in the past. Because of this 60% of all automotive gross sales in Europe in February had some sort of electrification.

With these numbers in thoughts, one can say that diesel gross sales ought to successfully be lifeless in about three years time, whereas petrol ought to share the identical destiny a couple of years later (2031? 2032?), which can imply that by 2032, the entire European market will probably be a minimum of partially electrified.

The 2035 EU goal is ready to be solely zero emission automobiles — i.e., solely BEVs (FCEVs and artificial fuels will stay a small area of interest). Will the market be prepared for it? What do you suppose? Please depart your feedback on this subject. I’m wanting ahead to listening to your suggestions on this.

However let’s get again to February’s gross sales. one of the best sellers in a number of measurement classes, there’s a stark distinction with what is going on in China. Whereas there plugins are displaying up and taking up the podiums in every measurement class, in Europe, the advances have been far much less important. Final yr, the one phase the place EVs had been related was the midsize one, and solely due to Tesla.

Within the remaining segments, plugins stay far beneath the rostrum degree. Whereas prospects for development are good, the European market remains to be some three years behind China in the case of EV adoption and the next merging of the EV market with the mainstream one.

Evaluating the European plugin high 10 with the general high 10 in February, there’s nonetheless a disconnect. Within the general market, 6 of the highest 10 fashions got here from the B-segment (subcompacts), with the remaining coming from the C-segment (compacts).

On the plugin desk, solely two fashions (the Renault 5 & Citroen e-C3 EV) got here from the B-segment, with compacts having 5 representatives.

On the flip facet, within the plugin high 10, there are three midsize (D-segment) fashions, whereas on the general finest sellers desk, there are not any D-segment representatives….

Plugins are nonetheless skewed in the direction of the costliest fashions. The EV market wants extra inexpensive fashions to succeed in increased volumes if we need to see Europe comply with in China’s steps.

Relating to simply EVs, the highlights this month had been Tesla again in 1st and 2nd place and the Renault 5 successful its first podium presence. Right here’s a extra detailed evaluation on the highest 5 EVs this month:

#1 Tesla Mannequin Y — After dropping the January title, Tesla’s crossover was again once more within the successful enterprise, due to 8,855 registrations. Nonetheless, after we examine with the identical month final yr, deliveries had been down by an astounding 56% YoY, or lower than half of the gross sales of February 2024. Keep in mind after I talked about that 2023/24 could be thought of the “peak Mannequin Y” interval in Europe? Tesla’s midsizer has hit the market’s pure limits. Positive, the refreshed Mannequin Y model will assist issues alongside in March, and particularly in Q2, bringing with it a second youth, however don’t anticipate the Mannequin Y’s efficiency to go above of what it as soon as was. Any more, anticipate the chief of the European EV market to remain on high within the foreseeable future, however with smaller successful margins and the occasional loss, particularly within the first months of every quarter.

#2 Tesla Mannequin 3 — The China-made (however with a US passport) sedan is slowing down, scoring 6,872 registrations in February. That represented a 13% drop YoY. The reasons for this slowdown quantity to a few issues: First are the China tariffs, which have considerably harm the sedan’s efficiency. (The rationale why Tesla hasn’t began to make it in Germany is past me. Does anybody is aware of why this hasn’t occurred?) The second cause has to do with elevated competitors, particularly the VW ID.7, which has skilled an exponential surge in gross sales this yr, ending February in seventh and perhaps giving the Mannequin 3 a run for its cash within the 2025 race. Thirdly, Musk’s political shenanigans have began to take a toll on European consumers. For now, this isn’t very important. I’d say it impacts simply 5% of Tesla’s whole gross sales, which means that it would have an effect on those that had been on the fence between shopping for a Tesla or one other model in addition to those that are extra politically motivated. Nonetheless, we’re solely two months into the brand new US presidency, so who is aware of the place we will probably be 5 months from now?

#3 Renault 5/Alpine A290 — Renault’s new star participant delivered 6,199 items (with the assistance of its sportier Alpine twin), a near-record outcome for the French mannequin and its first podium presence — which can absolutely be the primary of many…. And it’s omen for the upcoming Renault 4, which is simply beginning to get its first demonstration items delivered. Whereas the Renault 5 isn’t class-leading in the case of inside house and it has too many command stalks, it greater than compensates for that in character, be it relating to the eye-catching design or the fun-loving driving dynamics. Along with right costs and vary, these issues make it a really compelling provide for European consumers. One may even say that it’s a automotive developed and constructed for the European mindset.

#4 VW ID.4 — The compact crossover received one other high 5 presence in February, with the MEB platform mannequin scoring 6,048 deliveries, which means 144% development YoY. This allowed Volkswagen Group to position two fashions on one of the best sellers desk (because the VW ID.3 took the fifth spot). With improved specs and decrease costs (and the small element that Volkswagen Group must promote extra BEVs to maintain up with the EU’s CO2 guidelines…), the German crossover is experiencing a second youth. Whereas not the EV fanatic’s alternative, the ID.4 has sufficient going for it to draw a large viewers. It’s as if Volkswagen Group made the MEB crossovers like ice cream — the VW ID.4 is vanilla ice cream, it’s acquainted to everybody’s tastes and will get the job achieved; the Skoda Enyaq/Elroq are the wholesome choices, for individuals who worth all of the style however low carbs/costs; the Audi This autumn is for these with dearer tastes who don’t thoughts paying extra with a view to have the finest chocolate on the market; whereas the Cupra Tavascan is for danger takers, providing a sort of spicy chocolate that almost all received’t admire however a choose few will love.

#5 VW ID.3 — Volkswagen’s hatchback has returned to kind, scoring 5,435 registrations in February, greater than doubling its gross sales YoY and scoring its finest efficiency of the final eight months. One has to acknowledge the arduous job that the ID.3 inherited when it landed. Filling the VW Golf’s sneakers within the EV market was at all times going to be a frightening job, particularly within the context of falling hatchback gross sales in comparison with crossovers. Nonetheless, the ID.3 has been doing alright recently, being the chief within the compact hatchback class. Contemplating the present market dynamics, that is all we will ask from it.

the remainder of the February desk, a couple of fashions deserve a point out, just like the file results of the not too long ago launched #6 Citroen e-C3 EV, 5,407 items, and the continued good outcomes of Volkswagen’s new ID.7, 5,341 registrations, permitting it to finish the month in seventh.

One other file performer was the #14 Toyota C-HR PHEV, which scored 3,585 registrations. That was its second file end in a row and allowed the funky crossover to turn into a critical candidate for the Finest Promoting PHEV award. Toyota is rising….

Elsewhere, the BYD Seal U (euro-spec BYD Tune) has managed one other desk presence, #20, due to 2,912 registrations. This may very well be a successful system for Chinese language makes sooner or later, particularly contemplating that plugin hybrids aren’t affected by tariffs and Chinese language OEMs have loads of them of their home lineups.

An fascinating truth about this high 20 is that there are 5 fashions that weren’t current 12 months in the past (Citroen e-C3 EV, Renault 5, Kia EV3, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Toyota C-HR PHEV). So, though the European market will not be as feverish with new automobiles as China’s EV market, it’s unfair to say that nothing occurs.

Beneath the highest 20, outdoors Volkswagen Group there isn’t a lot to say, with the exception being the ramp-up of the brand new Hyundai Inster, which had 2,034 deliveries in February.

As for the German OEM, not completely happy having eight representatives within the high 20, beneath one of the best sellers desk, it additionally has different EVs on the best way up, just like the case of the Cupra Tavascan (2,434 items, third file in a row) and the manufacturing ramp-up of the Skoda Elroq (1,490 items in February). The brand new Czech crossover may very well be a form of secret weapon for the OEM this yr, as it would replicate the success of the marginally bigger, but additionally dearer, Skoda Enyaq.

Heck, even the VW ID. BUZZ helped alongside, with a file 2,028 items in February, serving to to cement VW’s management in Europe.

Wanting on the 2025 rating, the massive information is the return of the Tesla Mannequin Y to the management place, displacing the VW ID.4 to the runner-up place. Nonetheless, this yr the US crossover mustn’t take as a right one of the best vendor title, which might be its 4th in a row. Not solely is the competitors promoting greater than up to now, however above all, the Mannequin Y doesn’t appear capable of run on the similar tempo because it did in previous years.

So, whereas the US crossover is the favourite to win the 2025 title, it received’t be a stroll within the park like in earlier years.

Beneath the rostrum, the highlights had been the Tesla Mannequin 3 leaping 5 positions, into eighth. With the US sedan anticipated to have a supply peak in March, one wonders what number of extra positions it’s going to rise to then. Will it’s second? Third? It will function a sign as to the place the Mannequin 3 may finish the yr.

Apparently, ever because it landed in Europe in 2019, the Mannequin 3 has by no means been beneath the 2nd spot. Will 2025 be its first yr successful bronze?

The opposite highlights had been the rise of the French arch rivals, the Renault 5 and Citroen e-C3 EV, with the previous leaping three positions to seventh whereas the latter surged 9 spots to eleventh. How excessive will these two find yourself? I’m nonetheless sticking to my weapons and saying that the Renault EV might attain 100,000 items this yr, which might place it in orbit for a podium place. As for the Stellantis EV, issues are extra sophisticated, as a result of it’s going to have robust inner competitors, so its demand may very well be affected by the truth that consumers may have extra fashions to select from. With this in thoughts, whereas a high 10 place looks as if a given, it may very well be arduous for it to interrupt into Europe’s high 5.

Within the second half of the desk, we’ve two newcomers, of the plugin hybrid selection, with the VW Tiguan PHEV becoming a member of the desk in seventeenth and the Toyota C-HR PHEV changing its stablemate BZ4X because the Toyota consultant within the high 20 by ending February in 18th.

Wanting on the general February model rating, the quickest rising make within the high 30 was #26 BYD, surging an incredible 211% YoY to a nonetheless small 7,000 items. On the other facet, #21 Tesla was down by 43% YoY, to 16,000 items. So … the King is lifeless, lengthy stay the King?

Not so quick. Whereas it’s true that the dynamics between each manufacturers are shockingly opposed, it’s going to take time for BYD to succeed in Tesla’s gross sales ranges. Having mentioned that, with the present market dynamics, I wouldn’t be stunned if BYD surpassed the US model in Europe round 2027….

As for the plugin auto model rating, Tesla recovered from a horrible January and is now fifth (5.3% in February vs. 4.1% in January), however it’s too far behind #1 Volkswagen (11.2%, up 0.1% in February) and #2 BMW (9.5%, down from 9.9% in January) to have ambition of returning to the management this quarter. And even this yr.

With Volkswagen this far and this robust, it’s arduous not so see the German make successful this yr’s producer title, successfully ending a three-year Tesla reign in Europe.

Even the 2nd spot may very well be arduous to realize, relying on how presently fluid geopolitics might have an effect on Tesla.

In third we’ve Mercedes (7.3%, down 0.3% from January), operating forward of #4 Volvo (6.3%, down from 6.4% in January). The three-pointed-star model is hoping the upcoming CLA sedan might turn into a robust vendor, giving the German model a star participant that its present lineup lacks.

Beneath the highest 5, Renault (4.2%, up 0.2%) is beginning to present up on the radar, having risen to eighth, solely beneath #7 Kia (4.8%) and #6 Audi (5%).

Arranging issues by automotive group, Volkswagen Group is firmly within the lead, with 26.6% share (up from 19.5% a yr in the past), a market share that’s now similar to BYD in China and Tesla within the USA?

BMW Group (11.3%, down from 11.5% in January) remained within the runner-up place in February, whereas #3 Stellantis appears to have stopped the gross sales bleed (10.1% in February vs. 9.5% in January) due to quantity deliveries of the Citroen e-C3 EV.

The issue for Stellantis is that only one mannequin being bought in giant volumes received’t be sufficient to maintain a podium place, simply ask Tesla. With the #2 and #3 finest promoting EVs scoring fewer than 2,500 items every (Peugeot e-208 EV — 2,427 items; Peugeot e-3008 EV — 2,001 items) in February, they might want to ramp up manufacturing of their decrease priced fashions (Fiat Grande Panda EV, Opel Frontera EV, Citroen e-C3 Aircross EV…) sooner quite than later.

Hyundai–Kia (8.4%) surpassed Geely (8.3%, down 0.3%) and is now 4th, with the Koreans betting on their new fashions (Hyundai Inster, Kia EV4) to realize floor on the Chinese language OEM in the course of the coming months.

With the lonely Renault pulling deadweights (Nissan and Mitsubishi) on its again, don’t anticipate the #7 Renault–Nissan Alliance (7%) to disturb the highest 5, with the identical being mentioned about #6 Mercedes (7.2%) now that Sensible has gone to Geely.

The UK authorities launched a plan to ban the burning of vegetation on upland areas of peatland on 31 March, ostensibly in a bid to make sure nature-rich peatland habitats are higher protected, and to enhance air high quality for individuals dwelling in neighbouring communities.

Generally described because the nation’s lungs, peatlands are a significant useful resource which may retailer carbon, scale back flood threat, enhance water high quality, and assist uncommon wildlife such because the golden plover and curlews. They’re additionally a few of our richest habitats for dragonflies with 25 of the UK’s 38 species discovered on upland peatbogs.

Nevertheless, 80% of England’s peatlands are presently degraded. Burning on peatland will increase heather development, which dries out the peatland, inflicting it to truly emit reasonably than retailer carbon.

Burning of vegetation together with heather on this scale causes the discharge of dangerous smoke into the air, impacting air high quality throughout communities. This contains dangerous air pollution for human well being, together with ones strongly related to strokes, heart problems, bronchial asthma and a few lung cancers.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh stated: “Our peatlands are this nation’s Amazon Rainforest – residence to our most treasured wildlife, storing carbon and decreasing flooding threat.

“The UK has 13% of the world’s blanket bathroom. A uncommon world habitat, it’s a treasured a part of our nationwide heritage, and that’s the reason we‘re asserting a session on these measures to make sure deep peat is best protected.

“These modifications will profit communities by bettering air and water high quality, and defend houses and companies from flood harm, which helps financial stability and safety beneath our Plan for Change.”

If carried out, these modifications will enhance the realm presently protected against 222,000 to greater than 368,000 hectares of England’s whole 677,250 hectares of deep peat, that means an space equal to the scale of Larger London, Larger Manchester and West Midlands put collectively will now be higher protected.

The definition of deep peat can be revised, in order that deep peat is counted as something over 30cms reasonably than 40cms. All the space of upland deep peat that’s doubtlessly topic to burning can be protected.

This method is being supported by proof offered by Pure England. Any prescribed burning would have to be performed beneath strict licence, issued the place there’s a clear want, for instance to cut back wildfire threat.

The session will run for eight weeks from 31 March and the general public and land managers are urged to have their say. The Authorities is proposing to refine the prevailing licencing system whereby candidates have to efficiently clarify why various strategies haven’t or wouldn’t work and present how they intend to maneuver the land away from the necessity to burn in future so as to obtain a licence. One of many grounds to use for a licence to burn can be to cut back the danger of wildfire, so we will steadiness environmental safety with sensible land administration.

The supporting proof was additionally printed on 31 March. Pure England printed a complete up to date Proof Assessment on ‘The results of managed burning on upland peatland biodiversity, carbon and water’, together with a Definition of Beneficial Conservation Standing for Blanket bathroom, which units out its view on beneficial conservation standing for Blanket bathroom in England.

The England Peat Map, an in depth, open-access map of England’s peatlands, overlaying extent, depth, and situation, is being developed by Pure England and can be printed later within the spring.