In the first half of 2023, the global sales of new energy vehicles in the broad sense (including pure electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and other vehicles that all use non-petroleum fuels, as well as hybrid vehicles and ethanol gasoline vehicles that use non-petroleum fuels) will be 9.54 million units. Among them, hybrid vehicles reached 2.32 million units, accounting for 24%.
According to the data released by Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the Passenger Car Association, the global penetration rate of new energy vehicles has shown a rapid upward trend, reaching 14% in the first half of 2023. However, the development is uneven, let's take a look at the penetration rate of new energy in major countries. [Note: Due to the relatively small proportion of commercial vehicles, the new energy vehicles mentioned below refer exclusively to new energy passenger vehicles].
Let's start with China, Japan and South Korea. ChinaThe growth rate of new energy vehicles has always been higher than the world average, accounting for 60% of the world share from January to June 2023. As of the end of June, the penetration rate of new energy reached 27%, mainly pure electric vehicles (72%), supplemented by plug-in hybrid vehicles (28%).
BYD, Tesla, GAC Aion, Geely, and Ideal are among the top five. Among them, the most outstanding performance is BYD, with a cumulative sales of 1.25 million units in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 9425%, more than the sum of 2-10 places, firmly sitting on the first throne of China's new energy vehicles, and at the same time surpassing Tesla, becoming the world's new energy vehicle sales champion.
South KoreaThe penetration rate of new energy is 87%。Hyundai's AniKrypton IOiQ5 and IONIQ6, and Kia Motors' NIRO, EV6, EV9 and other models all performed well. Among them, the Ioniq 5 is the best-selling electric vehicle in South Korea, and it is the first electric vehicle based on the e-GMP (Hyundai Group's dedicated platform for electric vehicles).
JapanThe penetration rate of new energy is only 29%, which is in the position of "crane tail" in the world's major automotive markets. Some industry analysts pointed out that in the past few years, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other car companies have always taken a wait-and-see attitude towards electric vehicles - partly because of their early success, and industry leaders are hesitant to accept a new technology that could weaken Japan's leading position. In addition, the difficulty of laying out charging infrastructure, safety and cost problems related to power batteries, and battery life problems are also the reasons that hinder the pace of progress.
Next, we look to the North American continent. United StatesIt is the world's second largest automobile market after China, with annual sales of more than 10 million units, but the penetration rate of new energy is only 86%。However, with the increase in models, the continuous improvement of supporting facilities such as charging piles, as well as the continuous improvement of subsidies and the increase in consumers' willingness to buy, the sales of new energy vehicles have been steady**.
Pickup trucks are one of the best-selling models in the United States, accounting for 20% of the market share. The Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GM Hummer EV2X EV3X, and the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck may become an important increment in the U.S. new energy vehicle market.
Europe is one of the world's largest sales regions for new energy vehicles. GermanyFranceUnited KingdomItalyand other major European automobile producing countries, the penetration rate of new energy is respectively. 9%。In order to promote the development of new energy vehicles, European countries provide preferential treatment or exemption in terms of taxation on the one hand, and at the same time provide subsidies or supporting facilities in the purchase or use of subsidies. On the other hand, the construction of charging network is supported through subsidies.
In terms of new energy penetration,NorwaySweden（49.6%), and other Nordic countries are significantly ahead of other countries and regions by more than one rank. For example, Norway, as an oil-rich country, achieved more electric vehicle sales than fossil fuel vehicles in 2020, thanks to a series of incentives such as 25% VAT exemption and road tax reduction. Secondly, the Nordic countries have a small land area, abundant renewable energy resources, high per capita income, and complete supporting facilities.
It is worth mentioning that Norway, which ranks first in the world in terms of per capita new energy vehicles, has also become a "bridgehead" for many Chinese car companies to enter the European market. In September 2020, Xpeng Motors delivered the G3i model to Norwegian customers, which is also the first time that a new car-making force has entered Europe. In August 2021, BYD completed the delivery of Norway's first Tang EVIn the same year, NIO, Hongqi and VOYAH also began to sell locally.
Norway has set a target of zero-emission vehicles for all new cars sold by 2025, which is undoubtedly a major positive for car companies. How will Chinese companies perform?We'll see.