New EV Registrations Grew Significantly, Driven By Tesla

by Chris Teague

Published: September 14th, 2023

new ev registrations grew significantly driven by tesla

Listening to pundits and some media outlets, it’d be easy to believe that EVs are nowhere near as popular as their gas-powered counterparts. But, while it’s true that electric vehicles still make up a tiny portion of the overall market, their numbers are growing. The latest data from Experian shows that EV registrations rose 67 percent over 2022’s numbers to an impressive 655,986 vehicles.

Automotive News reported on the data, showing a market share increase of 7.2 percent between January and July 2023. Tesla led the way with more than half of the EVs registered this year, at 390,377. The automaker had 60,769 new registrations in July alone. Interestingly, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia all saw slower growth earlier this year, and Ford trailed Chevy for new EV registrations by almost 6,000 units.

Analysts credit Tesla’s price cuts as driving its success and have noted the automaker’s regaining access to federal tax credits as another significant sales driver. Chevy’s number-two spot was driven by the Bolt and Bolt EUV, which accounted for all the registrations, save for 24 Silverado EVs.

Despite Ford’s stated goal of becoming the top player in the EV game, it’s sitting at number three on the list. The Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit van drove its 33,955 EV registrations. The Blue Oval saw its market share drop from 6.9 to 5.2 percent from a year before, and Mach-E registrations dropped an alarming 18 percent since 2022. On the flipside, the Lightning saw growth of five times its previous registrations, to 11,883.

[Image: Sundry Photography via Shutterstock]

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#ElectricVehicles #Tesla #Chevrolet #Ford

Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

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15 of 83 comments

Kwik_Shift_Pro4X on Sep 14, 2023

No thanks.

1 Reply
SCE to AUX on Sep 15, 2023
No surprise, because:
- The so-called IRA reinstated the incentives to Tesla that they lobbied against.
- Tesla's vertical integration and Spartan designs have reduced costs and increased margins, so they can safely drop prices.
- Tesla is 15 years ahead of its US competitors, who remain half-hearted on EVs and drunk on entrenched products.
- At 4%, Tesla is taking share from other mfrs. This isn't a case of the rising tide lifts all boats.
Like Reply
- See 4 previous
- EBFlex on Sep 15, 2023
  “Tesla is 15 years ahead of its US competitors, who remain half-hearted on EVs and drunk on entrenched products.”
  
  Lol good one. Meanwhile, here in the real world, nothing Tesla is doing with their vehicles is in any way advanced or ahead of other manufacturers. In a lot of cases, it’s far behind.
  1
- SCE to AUX on Sep 15, 2023
  
  @EBFlex: That's your usual copy-paste response, but it's always wrong. Nobody else can match Tesla's motor efficiency, switchgear efficiency, or scale for battery production.
  If you're building electric cars, that's what matters. Having a novel tailgate means little on an EV.
  
  Like
- MaintenanceCosts on Sep 15, 2023
  
  The truth is somewhere in the middle. Tesla really is several years ahead of the industry on electric powertrain tech and, at this rate, may in fact be a decade ahead on battery supply chain. And their cars have a few unique features that others don't. But they are behind the rest of the industry on a lot of things that are central to consumer appeal. Their interiors are uncompetitive at their price points in terms of design and material quality. They haven't changed their bare-bones color offerings, except to make the red slightly darker, in more than five years. They've made a number of obviously visible cost-cutting moves, such that any 2023 Tesla looks visibly cheaper than a 2017 version of the same model. And, most importantly, after over a decade they are still way behind on fit and finish.
  
  2
- EBFlex on Sep 16, 2023
  
  “That's your usual copy-paste response, but it's always wrong. Nobody else can match Tesla's motor efficiency, switchgear efficiency, or scale for battery production.”
  You are delusional. None of that is ahead of other automakers. If what Tesla was doing was viable and truly unique, others would be doing it. But the fact is, they aren’t.
  
  1
- Jeff on Sep 16, 2023
  
  SCE to AUX--Also his usually response is to call people liars and then he wonders why most on this site don't take him serious.
  
  Like
- EBFlex on Sep 16, 2023
  
  “SCE to AUX--Also his usually response is to call people liars and then he wonders why most on this site don't take him serious.”
  Well Jeff, if you don’t want to be called a liar, stop lying. It’s really that simple. Even in your post above you lied. Maybe you just can’t help it. Maybe lying is part of your personality. Are you a habitual liar?
  
  Anyway, here is your daily reminder that you call people names as well but yet you ignore that and have a little tantrum when you’re called a liar. Classic.
  
  1
El scotto on Sep 15, 2023

Whilst drinking my morning coffee. I realize my last vehicle will be an EV. Go Rascal Go! Mine will have a cup holder for my beer.

2 Reply
- Dukeisduke on Sep 15, 2023
  
  Yeah, and you can probably have an open container while driving a Rascal.
  
  Like
NotAnotherTeslaFanBoi on Sep 15, 2023

Kind of interesting no one has talked about the other difference Tesla has- no dealers.

When we were looking for our second electric car (2021) we ended up with another Tesla because the local Chevy and Nissan dealers were charging wildly optimistic prices on their offerings.

Wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of customers on the fence end up with a Tesla after getting turned off by dealership fuckery from competing brands.

2 Reply
- See 4 previous
- SCE to AUX on Sep 15, 2023
  
  Good point. Ford has noticed this, and I suspect they will lead the campaign to eliminate dealer protections, starting with a petition to the Michigan state legislature.
  The direct sales model assures lower prices and a better buying experience.
  
  1
- Master Baiter on Sep 18, 2023
  
  "...and a better buying experience."
  I wouldn't call not being able to see and drive the actual car I intend to purchase before I pay for it a better experience.
  
  1
- VoGhost on Sep 18, 2023
  
  MB, you absolutely can test drive a Tesla any time you please. You just can't pay over MSRP.
  
  Like
- SPPPP on Sep 19, 2023
  
  @VoGhost - Around 2018 or 2019, Musk was saying test drives weren't needed. If you were interested, you should simply buy the car, and return it if unsatisfied. That was a ridiculous suggestion, and it made a major negative impact on my perception of both Musk and Tesla. Apparently, that stance has been quietly walked back, and you can now schedule a test drive online without commitment. So that's progress.
  
  Like
- Master Baiter on Sep 19, 2023
  
  "MB, you absolutely can test drive a Tesla any time you please. You just can't pay over MSRP."
  I said test drive the ACTUAL CAR I INTEND TO PURCHASE, not some road test mule they have sitting around. Comprehend reading much?
  With Tesla, they are free to deliver you a car full of defects, and when you find them, the reply is, "just schedule a service appointment." This is a fail in my book.
  
  Like