Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Group EV sales double in 2021 despite global chip shortage

Despite fewer overall car sales, the Volkswagen Group delivered 452,900 EVs across all brands in 2021, almost twice that of the previous year

Volkswagen HQ

The Volkswagen Group’s latest sales figures reveal increasing global demand for electric cars, despite the global semiconductor shortage impacting car sales on the whole. The group sold 8.9 million vehicles last year across all brands, 452,900 of which were EVs, an increase of 96% over the previous year. This is despite overall car sales declining by 4.5% year on year. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

In 2020, 2.5% of sales were electric vehicles. This more than doubled to 5.1% last year, and plug-in hybrid sales were also significantly up. At 309,000 units, PHEV sales were up by 61%. 

Given these trends, the Volkswagen Group predicts that one car in two sold worldwide in 2030 will be electric. Europe showed particularly strong demand for EVs last year, with electric cars accounting for more than 10 per cent of sales, while North America took delivery of 37,200 fully electric models, three times more than the previous year. 

The group’s best selling electric car worldwide was the Volkswagen ID.4 crossover at 119,600 units, followed by the smaller ID.3 hatchback. A fraction less than 50,000 Audi e-trons were delivered, with the Skoda shifting 44,700 Enyaq iVs. An impressive 41,300 Porsche Taycans were sold, too, putting it just 100 units behind the Volkswagen e-up!. 

Volkswagen Group head of sales Christian Dahlheim said: “2021 was very challenging due to global semiconductor shortages, but we nevertheless consistently implemented our clear future course. The doubling of our battery-electric volumes and the high demand for all our vehicles clearly show that we are on the right track. This is something we will build on in the current year and continue to drive forward our transformation.”

Check out our review of the Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept - front action

Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’

The Volkswagen ID.1 will arrive in 2027 and look to start below £20,000
News
23 Apr 2025
Volkswagen to extend its range with range-extender PHEVs for Europe
Volkswagen Touareg - front cornering

Volkswagen to extend its range with range-extender PHEVs for Europe

EV-lite range-extender technology could prolong the shelf-life of Volkswagen’s petrol engine offerings to 2030 and beyond
News
23 Apr 2025
Volkswagen to launch more than 30 new models in China by 2028
Volkswagen ID.Aura, Evo and Era unveiled at the Auto Shanghai motor show

Volkswagen to launch more than 30 new models in China by 2028

The ID. Aura compact saloon, plus the ID. ERA and ID. EVO SUVs, showcase new powertrain and autonomous driving technology
News
22 Apr 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025