Tesla Model Y leads March new BEV sales

New battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations were strong in March, led by the Tesla Model Y (761 units) and BYD Atto 3 (617 units).

The MG ZS was the third highest placed BEV last month with 307 units registered.

They were among 2656 BEVs, 515 PHEVs and 2503 hybrid vehicles registered in March, says Motor Industry Association (MIA) principal technical adviser Mark Stockdale.

He says that March 2023 registrations were down 23.8% (5007 units) on the same month last year, noting that March 2022 registrations were the highest on record due to the pending Clean Car Discount fees for light commercial vehicles.

About 2637 light passenger vehicle BEVs and 18 light commercial plus one heavy commercial vehicle BEVs were registered in March, the MIA adds.

Top PHEVs included the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (176 units) followed by the Kia Sorento (131 units) and the MG HS (31 units).

Tesla says it delivered record numbers of its EVs globally in the first quarter of this year, with more results to come.

In the used passenger car model rankings, the Toyota Aqua led with 1469 units registered, followed by the Toyota Prius with 992 units, the Mazda Axela with 458 units, and the electric Nissan Leaf fourth with 400 units.