The latest data on new car sales in Switzerland in 2021 shows that 31,823 new electric cars were registered in 2021. The data also shows that 48% of new registrations were 4x4s.
© Jonathan Weiss | Dreamstime.com
Electric cars accounted for 13% of the 238,481 newly registered vehicles in Switzerland in 2021. Diesel (42%), petrol (14%) and hybrid cars (31%) made up the rest.
The much-loved (and hated) 4×4 category accounted for 48% of all new registrations in Switzerland in 2021. However, the correlation between four-wheel drive and high emissions is weak these days. There are many 2WD cars with high emissions and many 4x4s with high efficiency ratings, many of which are quite small.
In 2021, 5,074 new Tesla Model 3s were registered in Switzerland, making it the nation’s best-selling car. The next best selling vehicle was the Skoda Octavia (4,974), followed by the Audi Q3 (3,960) and the Volkswagen Tiguan (3,842).
While the addition of 31,823 new electric cars to Swiss roads could indicate progress, many will use large amounts of electricity in excess of Switzerland’s clean power generation capacity.
And the efficiency margin for electric cars is considerable. A database shows an efficiency range from 104 Wh/km (the yet to be released Lightyear One) to 281 Wh/km (the Mercedes EQV 300 Extra-Long). The Lightyear One will have 37% of the operational carbon footprint of the Mercedes, assuming the emissions per unit of electricity consumed are the same for both vehicles.
And small is not always more efficient. The 1,835 kg Tesla Model 3 is more efficient (150 Wh/km) than the 1,208 kg Renault Electric Twingo (164 Wh/km).
© Avitorero | Dreamstime.com
Maybe one day electric vehicles will come with energy efficiency ratings like those used for household appliances above.
More on this:
Auto Swiss press release (in French) – Take a 5-minute French test now
For more stories like this about Switzerland, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
