Hyundai and Kia are expected to surpass 1 million cumulative electric-vehicle sales in Europe in the first half of this year, as the region accelerates its shift to electrification. The milestone would come about 12 years after the brands launched their first EV in Europe, the Soul, in 2014.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, battery-electric vehicle sales in Europe totaled 217,898 in December, up 51% from a year earlier. BEVs took a 22.6% market share in December, edging gasoline cars at 22.5% for the first time on record. While changes in the EU’s mid- to long-term clean-vehicle policies remain a variable, the industry expects the EV slowdown to keep easing.
Hyundai and Kia said their cumulative EV sales in Europe from the 2014 launch of the Soul EV through last year reached 915,996 vehicles, putting them within reach of 1 million this year.
The two brands sold 135,408 EVs in Europe in 2021, topping 100,000 for the first time. Sales rose to 143,460 in 2022 and 147,457 in 2023. In 2024, sales slipped to 121,705 as major markets such as Germany reduced EV subsidies, but rebounded last year to a record 183,912 on new-model momentum including the Ioniq 9, EV4 and EV5, up more than 50% from a year earlier.
Tucson was the best-selling eco-friendly model in Europe last year with 76,101 units, followed by the EV3 (65,202), Kona (64,211), Niro (46,534), Inster (Casper Electric, 26,851) and EV6 (16,218).
With Hyundai and Kia averaging about 15,000 EV sales a month in Europe, the companies are likely to reach 1 million cumulative sales in the first half, the automakers said.
“As Europe’s shift to electrification accelerates, competition among global auto brands in EVs is intensifying,” a Hyundai-Kia official said. “We will expand our share by launching a wider range of EVs that meet consumer needs.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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