Tesla’s sales surge in Denmark in November as electric vehicle tax breaks are ending

After some confusion over Tesla registering thousands of Model S’s in Denmark in anticipation of a surge of electric vehicle sales over the phasing out of tax breaks in the country starting in 2016, the company confirmed having ordered 2,500 license plates in order for Tesla buyers to be able to complete their purchases by the end of the year.

With 113 Model S’s registered in October, the data didn’t reflect any demand increase due to the end of the tax breaks for electric vehicles, but the government published November registration data today and it now shows a significant increase in Tesla Model S registrations.

The company delivered 465 Model S’s in the country – up from only 36 units in November 2014. It brings the total year-to-date to 1,416 units in 2015 – up from 345 during the same period last year.

Denmark has now surpassed Germany as Tesla’s fourth biggest market in Europe. Only Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland bought more Model S’s so far in 2015 than Denmark.Tesla buyers in Denmark are reporting having to choose between custom ordering a Model S, which would arrive in early 2016 and be subject to higher taxes depending on the sale price, or buying a new, but ready-made Model S, which can be delivered by the end of the year.

Several buyers are reporting having purchased ready-made vehicles which are now in transit with an expected delivery in late-December – meaning we could see an even more impressive surge this month.

Credit Suisse analyst Dan Galves recently predicted an incremental sale increase of 1,000 units in Denmark versus the third quarter (Q3) 2015. According to registration data, Tesla delivered 335 Model S’s in the country in Q3 and at the end of November, the company is at 578 units in Q4 – meaning Tesla would need to deliver 757 cars in Denmark in December to make Galves’ prediction come true.