Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Was #1 EV In Germany In May, Renault Zoe New Leader In 2019
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The German plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market continues on the right track in May, having registered 7,899 units. Fully electric vehicles (BEVs) grew at a faster pace (+100% year over year) than plug-in hybrids (+33%). In May, the PEV share was at 2.4%, with BEVs alone hitting 1.4%, keeping the 2019 plug-in share at 2.5% (1.5% BEV).
Looking at May best sellers, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV surprised everyone by earning last month’s best seller award, thanks to 957 registrations, a new record for any plug-in hybrid in this market. Like in other markets, it seems the Japanese SUV is the only PHEV able to run at the same pace as the best selling BEVs.
The #2 BMW i3 scored a record performance last month, with 878 units registered, an impressive performance from the German hot hatch. BMW also placed another model in the top 5, with the 225 Active Tourer reaching 5th place, with 450 units registered.
Another model shining in May was the #4 Smart Fortwo EV, which registered 495 units, its best result in 14 months.
| Rank | Model | May Sales |
| 1 | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | 957 |
| 2 | BMW i3 | 878 |
| 3 | Renault Zoe | 875 |
| 4 | Smart Fortwo EV | 495 |
| 5 | BMW 225xe A. Tourer | 450 |
There’s always much to talk about in the German PEV market, which is known for close races and constant changes, and last month was no exception. First of all, in May, the Renault Zoe recovered the leadership position from the hands of the Tesla Model 3, but Tesla’s June peak should help the sports sedan to recover ground again and possibly overcome the Renault hatchback (again).
The expected delivery peak from the Model 3 should also prevent the ever improving #3 BMW i3 from climbing another position.
The Smart Fortwo EV and the Audi e-tron were each up one position, to #7 and #8, respectively, with the tiny two-seater now going after the 6th spot held by the BMW 225xe Active Tourer.
Highlighting the Daimler Group’s positive month, the Mercedes E300e/de PHEV twins keep on jumping positions, now up to #12 thanks to 397 deliveries, the model’s best result in over a year. This puts pressure on the full-size car leader, the #10 BMW 530e, with the big Bimmer registering 360 units last month, a new year best as well.
Interestingly, the E300 PHEV’s smaller sibling, the C300 PHEV, is still stuck in two-digit performances, which could mean that Mercedes has a limited number of batteries and is favoring the larger (and more profitable) E-Class.
Speaking of batteries, the all-new EQC SUV, the most recent reinforcement for the Mercedes squad, had 93 registrations last month — no doubt demonstration units, but expect these numbers to grow over time, with the limit probably being first set by battery constraints rather than actual demand.
| Rank | EV Model | May | 2019 | PEV Market Share |
| 1 | Renault Zoe | 875 | 4,531 | 12% |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | 317 | 4,016 | 10% |
| 3 | BMW i3 | 878 | 3,807 | 10% |
| 4 | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | 957 | 3,217 | 8% |
| 5 | VW e-Golf | 310 | 2,045 | 5% |
| 6 | BMW 225xe Active Tourer | 450 | 1,951 | 5% |
| 7 | Smart Fortwo ED | 495 | 1,748 | 4% |
| 8 | Audi e-Tron | 322 | 1,536 | 4% |
| 9 | Hyundai Kona EV | 226 | 1,497 | 4% |
| 10 | BMW 530e | 360 | 1,391 | 4% |
| 11 | Nissan Leaf | 96 | 1,078 | 3% |
| 12 | Mercedes E300e/de | 397 | 1,060 | 3% |
| 13 | Smart Forfour ED | 236 | 972 | 2% |
| 14 | Mini Countryman PHEV | 156 | 878 | 2% |
| 15 | Hyundai Ioniq Electric | 152 | 765 | 2% |
| 16 | Kia Soul EV (Gen I & II) | 158 | 702 | 2% |
| 17 | Porsche Panamera PHEV | 170 | 641 | 2% |
| 18 | Kia Niro PHEV | 55 | 494 | 1% |
| 19 | Volvo XC60 PHEV | 52 | 452 | 1% |
| 20 | Hyundai Ioniq PHEV | 72 | 395 | 1% |
| + | Others | 1,165 | 5,777 | 15% |
| = | TOTAL | 7,899 | 38,953 | 100% |
Outside the top 20, we should mention the 86 deliveries of the Jaguar I-PACE, with the British Sports-Crossover-SUV-Thingy now in #21, just 10 units away from joining the top 20.
In the brand ranking, BMW (20%, up 2%) is the leader, with Tesla hanging onto the 2nd spot (12% share, down 2%), slightly ahead of #3 Renault (12%, up 1%).
Off the podium, we have Mitsubishi (8%, up 1%) and Hyundai (7% share).
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