One of the popular discussions in plug-in world over the past decade has been how much effort should be put on developing compelling and well rounded 100% electric vehicles as soon as possible versus using plug-in hybrids as a stepping stone to a fully electric era. Perhaps the most useful real-world competition between those two approaches in 2020 is Tesla versus BMW.
Tesla, as everyone should know by now, has been committed 100% to 100% electric vehicles since day one. It has relentlessly found ways to innovate, improve manufacturing, and scale up in order to offer more range for less money, combined with all the cool tech and style a Tesla packs in. BMW has rolled out a large assortment of plug-in hybrid vehicles, mostly for the European market — and also sells the fully electric BMW i3 subcompact crossover.
Scrolling back in time a bit, Tesla sold approximately 100,000 more electric vehicles than BMW sold electrified vehicles in 2018 — 245,000 versus 143,000. Last year, Tesla more than doubled that lead, thanks to the Model 3 — 367,200 versus 145,800. How about 2020?
In the first quarter of 2020, Tesla showed it is on track for a similar kind of win. BMW sold 30,692 electrified vehicles whereas Tesla sold (delivered) 88,400 full electrics.
I think the Himalayan gap is poised to get even bigger soon, though. Tesla is now starting to roll out the Model Y, which is widely expected to sell even better than the Model 3 — better than the Model 3, Model S, and Model X combined. BMW doesn’t seem to have anything up its sleeve to compete with that, not even a half dozen models that can together compete with it. Then, around the corner, we also have the highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck. I don’t think there’s any looking back for Tesla. What do you think?
I’ve owned a BMW i3 and now own a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Feel free to read my long-term reviews of each of them via those links. Regarding why the Model 3 is so popular and so loved by owners, I recommend this story: “70 Reasons Why Tesla Model 3 Is Most Loved Car.”
Want to buy a Tesla Model 3, Model S, or Model X? Feel free to use my referral code to get some free Supercharging miles with your purchase: https://ts.la/zachary63404. You can also get a $250 discount on Tesla solar with that code.
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