The best-selling electric car in the Netherlands is no longer the Tesla Model Y

The best-selling electric car in the Netherlands is no longer the Tesla Model Y | Car

The Tesla Model Y is no longer the best-selling electric car in the Netherlands. The car has been overtaken by a model that was declared a bestseller before anyone had ever driven it a meter.

Things aren’t really going well for Tesla. By lowering prices it is single-handedly destroying the residual value, the model range is quickly becoming outdated and the competition – not least from China – is advancing. One of those cars from China is the Volvo EX30, which is built in the Chinese city of Zhangjiakou and co-developed by Volvo’s parent company Geely.

From 34,999 euros

For the Dutch buyer, his Chinese origin is apparently not a problem, because the EX30 was the best-selling electric car last month. The EX30 is relatively affordable. The entry-level model with a retail price of 36,795 euros does not have a heat pump, but is even cheaper than electric cars from less ‘luxury’ brands, such as the Opel Corsa (from 34,999 euros) or the recently updated Volkswagen ID.3.

EX30: always electric

Unlike the current XC40, which is still available with combustion engines, the Volvo EX30 always runs on electricity. There is a choice of three powertrains: the cheapest and least powerful ones have one electric motor between the rear wheels. This ‘Single Motor’ version delivers a power of 200 kilowatts (272 hp), can tow a braked trailer of 1000 kilos and draws its energy from a 51 kilowatt-hour battery pack. According to Volvo, this should allow it to drive approximately 344 kilometers per charge.

Up to 1600 kilos towing capacity

The ‘Single Motor Extended Range’ is positioned one step above this. As the name suggests, this version promises a longer driving range – thanks to a larger battery pack of 69 kilowatt hours. According to Volvo, approximately 480 kilometers per charge is achievable, while this version can tow a trailer of 1,400 kilos, which is undoubtedly music to the ears of caravan owners. The brand claims to have put a lot of work into the efficiency of the electric motors. The Extended Range is priced from 41,495 euros.

1459 copies sold

The EX30 also puts its finger on the sore spot of the German premium brands. Because Audi, BMW and Mercedes have so far not been able to come up with such an affordable entry-level model. Dutch car buyers apparently saw it that way too, because with 1,459 units sold, Volvo beat Tesla with the EX30, which was in first and second place last month with the Model Y and Model 3. The Tesla Model Y had to make do with a second place (1048 registrations). The Tesla Model 3 was only sold 400 times.

The best-selling car in all categories was the Kia Niro with 1693 registrations. The Volvo EX30 is in second place in this classification.