BERLIN -- Volkswagen Group's ID4 became the first SUV to top the European battery-electric vehicle sales charts, according to figures from JATO Dynamics.
The ID4 topped the ranking in April with 7,335 sales during the month, ahead of the VW ID3 hatchback in second place with 5,735 sales, according to JATO's data. The Renault Zoe was No. 3 with sales of 4,015.
Strong sales of the ID4 pushed VW to claim 34 percent of the total full-electric car market in Europe in April, better than its overall standing across the European market, where VW's market share was just under 27 percent.
European new-car registrations jumped 256 percent in April on 1.03 million units but still down nearly a quarter from pre-pandemic levels.
Low-emissions vehicles accounted for 15 percent of the market, compared with 11 percent a year ago. Demand for full-electric models increased by 338 percent to 71,500 units. Registrations of plug-in hybrids rose 507 percent to 81,000.
The success of the ID4 highlights the beginning of the next phase of the electrification trend, said JATO senior analyst Felipe Munoz.
"Until now, most of the growth of EV demand has been driven by traditional cars such as the Tesla Model 3 sedan and hatchbacks," Munoz said. "However, there have been very few choices in the SUV segment, and we have to remember that SUVs are the drivers of sales/profits growth over the last 10 years. Without SUVs, the EVs will continue to be a niche segment."
He predicted the market share for low-emissions vehicle sales in Europe could reach 20 percent to 25 percent by the end of this year.