Although we cannot deny that this 2019 has been a turning point, in terms of sales of 100% electric vehicles in Spain, the sale of this type of vehicles does not end up taking off in a definitive way.
The sale of 100% electric vehicles is certainly increasing exponentially. In the first half of 2018, 2,343 pure electric vehicles were sold in Spain, practically 100% more than the previous year, and in the same period in 2019, 5,459 vehicles were sold, a 132.99% increase compared to 2018.
At first glance, this seems like a great achievement, but if we extrapolate these figures to the total number of vehicles sold (692,472), electric vehicles barely account for 0.79% of sales. These data clearly show that the adoption of electric vehicles hasn't yet taken hold among consumers, despite constant messages from government authorities that , sooner rather than later, pure combustion engine vehicles will no longer be permitted.
Barriers to overcome for a mass deployment of electric vehicles
There are mainly 3 major obstacles to the mass implementation of this type of vehicle.
The first issue relates to batteries . Most consumers surveyed indicated that one of the main reasons they wouldn't buy an electric car is the batteries. With current batteries, there's a lack of consumer confidence, both due to uncertainty about the number of recharges they allow before needing replacement, and concerns about their reliability (some electric vehicles have experienced battery fires) and lifespan (few vehicles achieve a real-world range exceeding 500 km). Therefore, one of the main problems is technological and must be resolved by manufacturers if they want this new technology to gain widespread consumer acceptance.
The second problem is the price and the lack of incentives . Electric vehicles are significantly more expensive, and to make it easier for sellers to sell these types of vehicles, a substantial trade-in program would be advisable, allowing those with less financial means to also access them.
Finally, the lack of charging infrastructure for these vehicles is a virtually insurmountable barrier. Mass adoption is simply not feasible given the limited number of charging points in Spain —a mere 4,871 zones with a total of 12,639 plugs. Until this situation improves, it's highly unlikely that most consumers will opt for a fully electric vehicle; those with more sense will probably choose a hybrid option at best, guaranteeing they won't be stranded anywhere.
Best sellers
In terms of sales, Tesla is in the lead thanks to the arrival of the Model 3 in the Spanish market, its model designed for the general public. Despite delivery delays in the first months of the year, climb the ranks and overtake Nissan and Renault, traditionally the best-selling brands in this segment.
The company led by Elon Musk saw a 718.60% increase in sales in June alone, with 352 cars registered, according to data from the National Association of Importers of Automobiles, Trucks, Buses and Motorcycles (Aniacam). Year-to-date, it has also experienced remarkable growth (+556.45%), registering a total of 1,221 vehicles sold to date.
Of Tesla's total sales, 86% is accounted for by the Model 3 with 1,051 registered models compared to 88 units sold of the Model S and 82 units sold of the Model X.
In the first six months of 2019, the second best-selling electric model was the Nissan LEAF (1,035 units) and the third was the Renault ZOE (551 units), two of the most veteran models in our market, which were surpassed, by a small margin in the case of the LEAF, by the newly arrived Model 3.
Sep 14, 2025