Following a production year riddled with supply chain constraints, chip shortages, and a war in Ukraine, German automakers BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group still saw significant growth in EV sales. Conversely, combustion vehicle sales continue to drop due to the reasons above, in addition to more and more drivers joining the green side.
We won’t waste any of your time today recapping who the legacy automakers out of Germany are. We are quite confident you’re familiar with each and their respective lineups of all-electric models. Although Mercedes or BMW might not be Volkswagen’s top competitor, the three automakers still compete at some level, particularly in the electrified segment.
For example, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and VW’s Audi marque are all competing for global EV sales in the luxury segment, whether it’s sedans or, in Mercedes’s case, SUVs and vans as well. Volkswagen Group has become a growing threat in the market share of EV sales in recent years, nipping at the heels of global leader Tesla, but did it hold steady in 2022?
Here’s how each of these German automakers stacked up against one another in overall EV sales in 2022.
Source: Volkswagen Group
Which German automaker saw the highest EV sales in 2022?
If you guessed Volkswagen Group, you’d be correct… to an extent. The German automaker responsible for the ever-popular ID.4 reported around 330,000 deliveries of BEVs around the globe this past year, noting 23.6% growth year-over-year.
For comparison, VW delivered 4.56 million vehicles in all, down 6.8% compared to a year prior. Since delivering its first ID.3 in 2020, Volkswagen has delivered over 580,000 ID. models worldwide.
BMW Group is reporting similar numbers in terms of overall deliveries since committing to electrification. The automaker delivered its 500,000th BEV to a customer in late 2022. As for last year’s totals, however, BMW Group fell well short of Volkswagen.
It delivered 215,755 fully electric BMW and MINI vehicles during its most recent trip around the sun, but more than doubled EV sales compared to 2021 (107.7% growth). So while its delivery numbers couldn’t hold a candle to VW Group, its growth leaves plenty of room for optimism headed into 2023, especially with the all-electric i5 joining the lineup.
Last but not least is Mercedes-Benz, which is reporting the lowest number of EV sales of the trio, but is touting the highest YOY growth. Fully electric variants of the A- and B-Class made up 10% of all sales, doubling compared to 2021.
EV sales totaled 117,800 in 2022, showcasing 124% growth. For comparison, Mercedes’s worldwide passenger car sales fell 1% to 2.05 million last year, but the only key region to see a year-on-year sales decrease was China. Mercedes-Benz is also the only company on the list reporting electric van numbers, which saw a 15% increase in sales (14,700 units) in 2022.
To recap, Volkswagen Group saw the highest number of EV sales but the lowest growth. Mercedes-Benz saw the most growth but the smallest number of EV sales, and BMW Group was middle of the pack in both categories. All in all, each of these German automakers appears to be on the right track in terms of electrification, and we’d expect these numbers to continue to trend upward a year from now.
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The Honda Prologue continues to surprise, ranking among the top ten most leased vehicles (gas-powered or EV) in the US in the first quarter. It was the only EV, outside of Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, that made the list.
Honda Prologue EV ranks among most leased vehicles
After launching the Prologue in the US last March, Honda’s electric SUV took off. In the second half of the year, it was the second-best-selling electric SUV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y.
The Prologue remains a top-selling EV in the US this year, with over 13,500 units sold through May. That’s not too bad, considering it only sold 705 through May of last year.
According to a new Experian report (via Automotive News), Honda’s success is being driven by ultra-affordable lease rates. In the first quarter, nearly 60% of new EV buyers in the US chose to lease, up from just 36% a year ago.
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Three EVs ranked in the top ten most leased vehicles, including the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and Honda Prologue.
2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 took the top two spots, while the Honda Prologue ranked number seven. Those who leased Tesla’s Model 3 paid $402 per month, Honda Prologue lessees paid $486 a month.
Given the average loan rate was $708 a month for those who bought it, it’s no wonder nearly 90% chose to lease. Under 9% chose to buy, while less than 2% paid cash.
To give you a better idea, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle lease in the US in the first quarter was $595.
With over $20,000 in discounts, Honda’s luxury Acura brand is selling a surprising number of EVs in the US. The nearly $65,000 Acura ZDX is sold for under $40,000 on average in May, according to Cox Automotive’sEV Market Monitor report for May.
2024 Acura ZDX (Source: Acura
The trend is primarily thanks to the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which is being passed on to customers through leasing.
With the Trump administration and Senate Republicans aiming to kill off federal subsidies, the savings could soon disappear. If the Senate’s recently proposed bill is passed, the $7,500 credit would expire within 180 days. It would not only make electric vehicles more expensive, but it would also put the US further behind China and others leading the shift to electrification.
2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)
Some automakers, including GM, are expected to continue offering the incentives. “GM has been very competitive on the incentives on their end, and that is not scheduled to end.”
After outselling Ford, GM’s Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US through May. Chevy is starting to chip away at Tesla’s lead, largely thanks to the new Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable +315 range EV,” as GM calls it.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS (Source: GM)
According to Xperian, those who leased a new Chevy Equinox EV in Q1 paid $243 less than those who financed it. The electric Equinox stood out in Cox Automotive’s EV Market Monitor report with an average selling price under $40,000, even without incentives.
The Chevy Equinox EV remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Starting at just $34,995, the base LT FWD model offers an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles.
Looking to test out some of the most popular EVs for yourself? With Honda Prologue leases as low as $259 per month and Chevy Equinox EV leases starting at just $289 per month, the deals are hard to pass up right now while the incentives are still here. You can use our links below to find models in your area.
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Originally announced two years ago, a joint energy storage project between European energy firm Enel and Nissan has come online, giving LEAF batteries a second chance at life and ensuring electrical supply for more than 90,000 people.
DER, or distributed energy resources, are a huge deal in the utility space, which is scrambling to keep up with the ever-greater power demands of more, bigger high-compute data centers. EV batteries at the end of their useful life for automotive use have long been promised to be part of a more comprehensive solution, however — and now that promise is coming good.
Spanish-language site Motorpasión is reporting that the plan to put dozens of “second life” batteries from used Nissan LEAF EVs to work at Enel Group’s Endesa plant in Melilla (first announced back in 2022), is now online, ensuring steady delivery of energy for over 90,000 people.
Due to its location on the African continent and south of the Strait of Gibraltar, Melilla is disconnected from both the mainland Spanish and Moroccan electricity grids, making it fully dependent on a single thermal power plant to supply electricity to its inhabitants. That can lead to surges in energy demand that can cause brownouts or rolling blackouts — a situation that’s all too common during the Mediterranean region’s extremely hot summer months.
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From the original press release:
As part of the collaboration, Nissan has provided the batteries from its electric vehicles and Loccioni, a system integrator, secured the proper integration between batteries needed for the circular process. The project leverages advanced technology based on a simple idea: once the useful life of a battery within an electric vehicle has come to an end, these batteries are recycled and assembled in a large stationary storage system. This system is integrated with Endesa’s Melilla facility to avoid the interruption of electricity supply during events of excessive load, to improve the reliability of the grid and secure the continuity of network service to the local population. The back-up generator is composed of 48 used Nissan LEAF batteries and 30 new ones.
This new Second Life facility is capable of storing up to 4 MW of energy and delivering up to 1.7 MWh on its own into Melilla’s electrical grid. That’s not enough to keep things going for more than a few minutes, but it’s enough time to restore the system and restart the power supply without interrupting critical operations, and more than enough to relieve loads on the main plant during peak hours.
Nissan LEAF + Enel Second Life project
Second Life battery project; via Nissan.
“This is a project we strongly believed in since day one,” explained Ernesto Ciorra, Enel Group’s Chief Innovability [sic] Officer. “We involved important partners alongside counting on the relentless dedication of our colleagues and on a real, operating plant where we could implement storage solutions through second-life batteries. And what would have been called impossible only a few years ago became possible, became real.”
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Navee’s Independence Day Sale returns the new ST3 Pro electric scooter with Apple Find My to a $760 low
Navee has launched its Independence Day Sale running through July 7, with up to 30% off six e-scooter models, including a returning low on the new flagship ST3 Pro Electric Scooter for $759.99 shipped, after using the on-page promo code FREEDOM20 at checkout. Normally priced at $950 these days since falling from its original $1,299 MSRP after launching in March, we’ve only seen the price come down to $899 before last month gave us the first drop to the $760 low. That low price is coming back around today, saving you $190 off the tag and beating out its Amazon pricing by $140. Head below for more on this e-scooter and the others seeing discounts.
The new Navee flagship ST3 Pro electric scooter cruises into view with a 600W motor (1,350 peak) and a 12.75Ah battery that provides up to 46.6 miles of travel on a full charge, while also maxing out at 25 MPH speeds. On top of this, the motor peaks to climb inclines up to 28% steep, which beats out many competitors. You’re ride will be especially smooth thanks to the new automotive-grade damping arm suspension system that is made up of four polymer arms – plus, there’s even Apple Find My inclusion for extra peace of mind.
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Those aren’t the only features I could go on about for the ST3 Pro electric scooter, as there’s also a triple-braking system of hydraulic disc brakes, a drum brake, and an eABS brake that delivers regenerative braking functionality to extend travels by recycling energy as you slow or stop. You’ll also be getting self-healing tires to prevent the ride from prematurely ending, a traction control system for increased stability, an auto-on headlight, as well as a brake lighting taillight, integrated turn signals, the usual folding frame, and a 3.6-inch LED display. What’s more, there is ambient lighting under its footboard that have 15 different mode options, and even remote smart controls through its companion app, including manual and automatic locking of its systems, and more.
Navee’s Independence Day Sale e-scooter deals (use on-page codes):
Apple Find My, smart locking, damping arm suspension, triple braking, and more.
Bluetti’s AC180 solar generator bundle with a 350W panel powers summer adventures for a $902 low
Bluetti’s Father’s Day Sale is continuing through the rest of the weekend with up to 55% discounts and extra savings. Alongside the new low price we spotted among the larger appliance/home backup offers, there’s quite a few solid options for smaller setups that cover road trips and outdoor adventures, like Bluetti’s AC180 Solar Generator Bundle with a 350W panel for $901.55 shipped, after using the sitewide code AFF5OFF at checkout for an additional 5% off. This package would normally fetch $1,499 at full price, which we’ve been seeing come down to $949 regularly during sales, only beaten out by this all-time low price that first appeared during the brand’s Earth Day sale in April. You’re looking at a second chance for the best price we have tracked, which saves you $597 off the going rate and beats its Amazon pricing by $47. Head below for more on this unit and the other deals we’ve rounded up for you.
The Bluetti AC180 power station is one of the brand’s most popular options to keep devices and appliances running during camping trips, road trips, and even during emergencies. It comes with a 1,152Wh LiFePO4 battery that dishes out a steady stream of power at up to 1,800W normally, while surging up to 2,700W when connected to hungrier appliances. It boasts 11 output port options, which includes a 15W wireless charging pad alongside four ACs, four USB-As, one USB-C, and one DC.
Plugging it into a wall outlet can get the battery back to 80% in 45 minutes, or by connecting up to its max 500W solar input, you can recharge in 2.8 to 3.3 hours via the sun, with there also being the options for car port or generator power. The brand rates it for 3,500+ life cycles, so you could charge and discharge it every day for over nine and a half years, or recharge it every few months and keep it stored away for emergency usage for even longer.
***Note: The extra savings have not been added into the prices below, so be sure to use the code AFF5OFF at checkout to score an additional 5% savings and the best deals possible.
Bluetti’s other deals for powering outdoor adventures:
Tenways’ 4th of July Sale takes $600 off e-bike bundles + additional $200 when buying two – all starting from $1,499
Tenways has launched its 4th of July Sale that is taking up to $600 off its e-bikes and offering $200 in additional savings when purchasing two models together. Among the offers this time around, we spotted the price coming lower than we’ve seen since March on the CGO600 Pro e-bikes for $1,499 shipped with $118 in free gear for both the chain-drive and belt-drive variants. Both models normally go for $1,899 at full price, which we’ve seen brought down as low as $1,299 for the chain-drive model and $1,399 for the belt-drive. Since March, they’ve been keeping above $1,599, but this sale is cutting $400 off the tags ($518 in total savings), landing them back at the second and third-lowest pricing we have tracked.
Perfect for urban commuters who enjoy active cycling, the Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes weigh just 37 pounds making them easy to manage up and down stairs, stoops, and the like. There’s no throttle for pure electric riding, with them instead providing four PAS levels supported by a torque sensor. The 350W rear hub motor pairs with a 360Wh battery to help you reach top speeds of 20 MPH for up to 53 miles on a single charge.
The main choice here is between the Gates carbon belt drive for quieter performance or its newer 8-speed variant with a Shimano derailleur and newer C9 350W motor that offers more flexible riding. Aside from that, you’ll also be getting puncture-proof tires that combat nails and other debris in the streets, Tektro dual-piston hydraulic brakes for stopping power, as well as LED lighting, internally routed cables, and an OLED screen for all your setting adjustments.
comes with $178 in free gear + free front carrier ($50 value)
Greenworks’ 82V 18-inch commercial cordless chainsaw with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries hits new $400 low
Amazon is offering a solid bundle opportunity on its Greenworks 82V 18-inch Commercial-Grade Cordless Chainsaw that comes with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at $399.98 shipped. Normally, you’d have to shell out $600 buying these models separately in their standard packages, which we’ve seen brought down as low as $516 before today. Not only is this a new all-time low price we’re tracking, saving you $200 off their usual rates, but the bundle is also coming in at the same price as the standard one-battery package, meaning you’re getting the $200 2.5Ah battery for free.
Part of Greenworks’ commercial series of tools for professional landscaping and groundskeeping, this 82V 18-inch chainsaw can make up to 210 cuts on a single charge of the 4.0Ah battery, which can be extended thanks to the additional battery in the bundle. The 2.7kW brushless direct-drive motor brings the equivalent of a 55cc gas motor to the equation, able to reach up to 13,000 RPM max speeds. There’s an automatic oiler to keep things lubricated and running smoothly, as well as a flip-up gauge for it that lets you see how much oil is in the tank, a mechanical chain brake, and more.
Blow, collect, or mulch yard debris with Worx’s 12A corded Trivac at $69
Amazon is offering the Worx WG509 12A Trivac 3-in-1 Electric Corded Leaf Blower/Mulcher/Vacuum for $69 shipped. This legacy tool would normally run you $100 at full price, which we’ve mostly seen keeping above $79 throughout 2025. Today’s deal is bringing the costs down lower thanks to the $31 markdown we’re getting here, dropping things down among some of its lowest prices – just $9 above the all-time low that we haven’t seen reappear for quite some time.
When doing any outdoor work – especially in the heat of summer – it’s always best to go by the phrase “working smarter, not harder” and this 3-in-1 Worx Trivac definitely exudes that credo with its blowing, collecting, and/or mulching functionality. When put into its standard blower settings, it can produce up to 210 MPH airflow, while the included bag allows for the collection of debris at a flip of a switch. There’s also the two-stage metal impeller/shredder blades for any mulching needs, which the brand claims to “take 18 bags worth of leaves and chops it down into one.” It comes lightweight at just 10 pounds so anyone of any size can use it, with an angled collection nozzle to help reach under patio furniture and other low-lying areas.
If you’re only looking for a reliable means to mulch the leaves around your yard at much faster rates, Worx’s 13A Electric Leaf Mulcher makes a great companion for the job at $139.99 shipped, down from $190. By attaching a regular bag underneath the device, you can mulch leaves at a speed of 53 gallons per minute for easy collection, with the brand promising to condense “11 bags down into 1.”
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.