Tesla's dominance in Europe's electric vehicle market has increased because of demand for the Model Y, which was the region's overall top-seller in the first quarter and within striking distance of taking the Q2 and first-half sales crowns.
Tesla has sold more than 87,600 Model Ys, a rise of 257 percent, after five months, according to preliminary figures from market researcher Dataforce.
Tesla currently accounts for a little more than half of all premium EV sales in the region. Its sales through May stood at 116,658, resulting in a 51.3 percent share.
The Model Y was the clear premium EV leader, well ahead of its sister model, the Model 3 sedan at 24,960 units, while the No. 3 premium EV was the Volvo XC40 with a volume of 16,592.
Tesla was also Europe's No. 1 EV brand when both premium and volume sales were taken into account, with an 18.4 percent share of Europe's the overall EV market, according to the preliminary figures.
The nearest competitor from a volume brand was the Volkswagen ID3, with sales of 25,742 through five months, according to data representing 93 percent of sales in the European Union plus ETFA countries and the U.K.
In the plug-in hybrid sector, a number of premium players are doing well.
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With five-month sales of 28,896 PHEVs, Mercedes-Benz has a 16.4 percent share of the sector.
BMW, including Mini, is just behind with 28,368 PHEVs sales through May and a 16.1 percent share.
Volvo had 21,172 PHEV sales after five months and a 12 percent share, but if sister brand Lynk & CO is included, the brand's 01 is a sister model to the Volvo XC40, then sales rise to 34,593 and the share jumps to 19.6 percent.
Segment battle
Looking at Europe's top segments, there is a tight race for leadership of the Large Premium class, with the Audi A6 just 606 units ahead of the BMW 5 Series (20,161 vs. 19,555), according to Dataforce's preliminary figures.
The Premium Coupe competition is even closer, with the Porsche 911 leading the BMW 4 Series by 542 units (5,755 vs. 5,213).
One of the least competitive races is in the Premium Midsize Crossover segment, where the Model Y is ahead of the Mercedes GLC by more than 53,500 units.
