Fewer and fewer people think about diesel engines when choosing a new car, statistics show. Sales volumes for models with such a power unit have been consistently falling for more than a year now. At the same time, electrified drivetrains of all kinds continue to grow in popularity, from hybrids to electric cars.
Content will continue after the ad
Advertising
In the Baltic States, sales of new diesel-powered cars in 2022 were 17 percent lower than in 2021, and their market share fell from 29 to 26 percent. Sales of gasoline-powered new cars fell 12 percent in the period, with market share shrinking from 46 percent to 45 percent.
On the other hand, sales volumes of various hybrid cars were 1 percent higher last year (market share increased from 21 to 23 percent), and the increase in sales of electric cars reached as much as 40 percent (market share increased from 3 to 5 percent).
The entire market of new M1 and N1 category vehicles in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia decreased by 9 percent in 2022 – up to 71,972 cars sold.
The Koreans have shown where the winds blow
Whatever fuel type of car the Baltic buyers choose, every second of them will be an SUV model. Statistical data show that the volume of sales of vehicles of this body type continued to grow last year. Compared to the previous year, this segment grew by 12 percent and reached 53 percent of the total market share (43 percent in 2021).
The demand for city dwellers (so-called crossovers) did not decrease either – it chews up all other market segments. For example, second-place hatchback sales fell by as much as 42 percent, and hatchback market share fell from 20 percent to 13 percent.
Similar trends are present in almost all European countries, so it is no wonder that car manufacturers react very quickly to the choices of buyers. And the fruits of their reaction are sometimes very eloquent – this is proven by the offer of the South Korean manufacturer “Kia” in one of the most popular and competitive segments, the B-SUV.
The Koreans have introduced the new generation “Niro” model in this market segment, which is available in three electrified versions, without the option of choosing this model only with an internal combustion engine. The new “Kia Niro” is available in the traditional self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid or 100% electric version.
More and more automakers in this market segment are moving in a similar direction, though not all. For example, “Toyota Yaris Cross” or “Renault Captur” models are already offered with hybrid drives, but “Volkswagen T-Roc” can only be purchased in Latvia with a gasoline or diesel engine.
Who chooses hybrids?
Mats Buzelis, president of the Lithuanian Auto Industry Information Association (AAI), states that self-charging hybrid (HEV) cars are chosen by a fairly wide range of people. This phenomenon is also associated with an increase in the supply of such models. The specialist believes that drivers who have chosen hybrids are united by the desire to save money.
“I think they know that hybrids save fuel and are a good alternative to diesel cars, which other people have also chosen to reduce costs,” says Buzelis.
According to him, another common characteristic of hybrid car buyers is the desire not to be tied to battery charging and the ability not to change established habits. Thanks to hybrid technologies, the hybrid car charges its own small battery using the energy recovery system when braking or simply coasting.
Later, this stored energy is used when it is most needed – during start-up or acceleration, thereby saving some fuel. For example, the hybrid “Kia Niro” has a battery with a capacity of 1.32 kWh, while the car’s fuel consumption per 100 km, according to the manufacturer, is 4.4 liters of gasoline. For example, the fuel consumption of the “Toyota Yaris Cross” hybrid is the same.
“You don’t need chargers at home, nor do you need to stop at public charging stations. You just fill up with fuel, as before, but you cover part of the distance using only electricity or with the help of electricity. This is probably one of the significant advantages of traditional hybrid cars”, Buzelis explains. .
Plug-in hybrid – for those who want the best of both worlds
The next level of electrification is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV). According to the president of AAI, these vehicles are chosen by motorists who are determined to significantly reduce fuel costs, since most of such models can already cover daily routes around the city with electricity alone. It remains only to make sure that the battery is charged in time.
The plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Niro mentioned here has an 11.1 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that can be fully charged in less than three hours, and the car can travel up to 53 km in electric mode alone. In the hybrid system, the total power of the gasoline engine and the electric motor reaches 180 hp (torque – 265 Nm), so this type of hybrid is also quite dynamic.
“When considering such a car, more calculations need to be done. In the case of a rechargeable hybrid, it is probably necessary to install some kind of charging point in the household, besides, those living in private houses can even be encouraged to think about solar panels on the roof in order to be able to use cheap electricity,” says Buzelis.
According to the specialist, another important aspect is that when driving a plug-in hybrid, one does not have to depend on charging stations, since the journey can always be continued using only fuel and an internal combustion engine. However, these highly versatile vehicles have one distinct drawback.
“Such a hybrid will probably not be chosen by people who regularly have to drive long distances. The hybrid system basically works effectively only in city traffic or only when the battery can have constant energy. When driving fast and far, the additional weight of the components of the electric part of the hybrid simply works against the economy,” explains Buzzard.
New generation cars
One hundred percent electric vehicles (BEVs), according to Buželis, are chosen by motorists who are the most thirsty for the latest technologies and benefits of electromobility.
“The biggest advantages of an electric car are driving pleasure, comfort and simplicity. In addition, the electric car itself is the most modern type of vehicle currently available in the automotive industry,” the expert explains the appeal of electric cars.
The growth in popularity of electric cars is also determined by the fact that manufacturers have greatly expanded their capabilities over the past ten years. In 2013, an electric car with a range of up to 150 km was taken for granted, now the bar has been raised much higher for electric cars of all classes.
For example, “Mazda MX-30”, which keeps the overall weight of the car lower due to a smaller capacity battery, can travel up to 200 km with a full charge, “Lexus UX 300e” – up to 300 km, “Peugeot e-2008” up to 345 km, but the electric version of the aforementioned “Niro” can travel up to 460 kilometers in one trip. “Kia e-Niro” has a battery with a capacity of 64.8 kWh, which can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 43 minutes with fast charging, and this advantage allows you to use the electric car efficiently even on quite long trips.
Placement code for key m_news not found.
