Tesla made a big leap in Spain this September. In the first half of the month, the Model 3 logged 1,589 registrations and the Model Y added 638. Together, they reached 2,227 registrations by mid-September, well ahead of the rest of Spain’s EV market. The latest DGT summary shows the Model 3 at 1,723 registrations by September 19, with the Model Y at 715, extending Tesla’s lead.
The figures put a clear gap between Tesla and every other brand. Chinese makers such as BYD and Leapmotor are climbing the charts. Among non-Tesla models, the Toyota C-HR electric has company from BYD Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor B10, though none is close to catching up. Chinese brands have become a impressive force, as our recent coverage shows. DGT’s September statistics put no European models in Spain’s EV top 10. Tesla leads, with several Chinese models close behind. The shift toward Chinese brands in Spain is clear.
Volkswagen is trying to stay in the game by pairing tradition with new technology. Launched for the GTI badge’s 50th anniversary, the new ID.3 GTI is the most powerful GTI the brand has built. It delivers 326 horsepower and 545 Nm of torque, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. This rear-wheel-lead compact is more than an electric ID.3 with a badge: adaptive DCC suspension and progressive steering work alongside a special GTI mode. Its design nods to the model’s long history. The 79 kWh battery promises up to 601 kilometers of range and supports fast charging at 183 kW. Pre-sales start in early 2027, with the market launch set for the first quarter of that year. Volkswagen is targeting the top of the electric performance market.
BYD is pressing ahead with battery technology. The Chinese company plans to show a demo car with solid-state batteries in 2027. It is targeting cell-level energy density of about 400 Wh/kg, a large increase over today’s lithium-ion batteries. Early prototypes have reached 1,218 kilometers of range under the Chinese CLTC cycle, though real-world and European WLTP figures will be lower. Production will begin on a small scale. The 2027 target is a demo car, not a mass-market launch; wider rollout is expected closer to 2030. The project reflects BYD’s battery ambitions and could accelerate the shift to EVs with longer range and improved safety.
Chery, another Chinese brand, is preparing a major push into Europe. The company plans to launch 13 new models between 2026 and 2027. The Chery Q is a 4.2-meter electric compact with a 122-horsepower rear motor and a 41.3 kWh LFP battery. It could sell for around 15,000 euros after incentives. At the other end of the range, the Tiggo X SUV will have seven seats and a plug-in hybrid system. It will deliver 483 horsepower and up to 200 kilometers of electric range (CLTC). Spain will feature in Chery’s European plans through its partnership with EBRO and a factory in Barcelona’s Zona Franca.
Outside Europe, Laos is moving to speed up its own shift to electric vehicles. Starting June 1, 2026, the country will temporarily halt imports of most new gasoline and diesel vehicles, with exceptions for special cases. Laos relies on imported oil but has ample hydroelectric power. The government wants electric vehicles to make up at least 30% of all cars by 2030, keeping more energy spending at home and reducing dependence on foreign fuel.
Tesla isn’t stopping at passenger cars. The long-delayed Roadster is set for a demo on October 1, at an event Tesla calls “Go for launch.” Elon Musk has hinted at SpaceX-style cold gas thrusters for high performance. There has also been speculation about whether the car might briefly lift off the ground. The Roadster was first shown in 2017, with production initially planned for 2020, but delays have kept it out of reach. The demonstration will reveal what Tesla has developed.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is logging miles on Spanish roads. Test cars have covered 460,000 kilometers over two years, navigating city traffic and roundabouts as well as highway merges. FSD (Supervised) still requires drivers to pay full attention. It is not yet available to Spanish buyers and is awaiting regulatory approval. The tests show Tesla’s push to bring advanced driver assistance to Europe, along with the hurdles to a full rollout.
The Tesla Semi is also moving closer to Europe. Tesla says its electric truck for the region will offer up to 550 kilometers of range with a 40-ton load. It uses three motors delivering up to 800 kW (1,088 horsepower), with consumption rated at 1 kWh per kilometer. The truck will use the MCS 3.2 charging standard, allowing it to recover about 60% of its range, roughly 330 kilometers, in 30 minutes. Pricing and delivery dates remain unsettled, as do charging network details, but the basic specifications are public.
Spain’s electric car market is changing quickly. Tesla’s lead is now counted in hundreds of cars, not just dozens, while Chinese brands are moving from the sidelines to the center. Volkswagen and BYD are betting on performance and battery advances to stay in the race. Spanish drivers have more choices as the old order fades.
