Global Electric Car Sales and Electric Vehicle Statistics (2026)

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04/02/2026

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Want to learn more about electric car sales and their statistics? This blog dives deep into the latest data from 2025, providing a detailed electric vehicle market analysis.

In a world where technology and eco-awareness work together, the shift towards green transportation and more affordable “fuel” – electricity is accelerating like never before.

„The future of the automotive industry is electric… and there’s surely no turning back!‟

As we start a new age of sustainable transportation, electric cars are capturing the hearts and minds of consumers worldwide, thanks to improved technology and increased environmental awareness.

We believe that this year, electric vehicle sales will reach new heights.

Let’s dive into EV sales statistics!

How Many Electric Cars Were Sold in 2025?

In 2025, 20.7 million electric cars were sold.

Total vehicle sales in 2025 reached 91.7 million, with electric cars accounting for 22.6% of those sales.

A simple bar chart comparing global car units sold by their type (BEV vs ICE) in 2025. Cars with internal combustion engines are still in a substantial lead against battery electric vehicles.

Only one out of 70 cars sold in 2017 were electric. Today, roughly one in every 5 cars sold is an electric vehicle.

1 in 5 cars sold is an electric vehicle!

At this pace, electric cars will make up more than 25% of car sales worldwide in 2026.

Electric Vehicle Market Overview

According to Statista, the global electric vehicle market made $993 billion USD of revenue in 2025.

That is a 1.6% increase from 2024’s $976.7 billion USD revenue.

The figure below shows the number of units sold throughout the years:

A stacked bar chart showcasing electric vehicle market overview from 2016 to 2025, with a 2026 projection. Includes data for electric motorcycles, electric passenger cars, and electric commercial vehicles.

Source: Statista

Electric vehicle prices dropped a lot in early 2023, leading to a massive increase in sales all around the globe.

China, the US, and the EU dominate the global EV market – they continue to drive innovation, set trends, and shape the future of electric vehicle adoption worldwide.

However, the need for charging EV charging infrastructure is a barrier to growth.

Nevertheless, the number of public EV charging stations is on the rise, improving accessibility for users.

Smart EV Charging: Unlocking Its Full Potential


    eBook illustration

    Electric Car Sales by Year

    The interest in electric vehicles grew at the beginning of the 21st century, in 2008, when Tesla released its first fully electric car – Roadster.

    Since then, the popularity of electric vehicles has grown steadily, and they have become an increasingly common sight on our roads.

    We show global electric car sales from 2016 to 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing electric car units sold globally between the years 2016 and 2025.
    YearUnits Sold
    2016770,000
    20171,230,000
    20182,030,000
    20192,230,000
    20203,190,000
    20216,630,000
    202210,290,000
    202313,410,000
    202416,460,000
    202516,630,000

    Source: Statista

    It is quite believable to envision 145 million electric vehicles, including cars, buses, vans, and heavy trucks, on our roads by the end of 2030.

    What is The Best-Selling Electric Car in The World?

    Tesla Model Y still held the title for the best-selling electric car in the world in 2025.

    As competition in the electric vehicle market increases, prices have seen a notable decrease at the beginning of 2023.

    Best-selling Electric Cars in 2025

    In recent years Tesla Model 3 was outpaced by its sibling Tesla Model Y.

    In 2025, Tesla Model Y was the top-selling electric car by far.

    Tesla had two of the best-selling electric vehicles, but Asian brands, especially BYD gave them tough competition.

    These are the best-selling electric models in November 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing the best selling electric cars by unit in November 2025, with Tesla Model Y as the leading EV.
    Electric Car ModelSales
    Tesla Model Y97,831
    Wuling HongGuang Mini EV56,765
    Tesla Model 352,497
    Geely Xingyuan / EX242,878
    BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini / Surf41,604
    BYD Song / Seal U40,695
    BYD Qin Plus35,985
    Xiaomi YU733,778
    BYD Sealion 0626,372
    AITO M725,264

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Electric Vehicle Sales by Manufacturer

    As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to thrive, there’s no doubt that EV manufacturers will invest a lot to produce advanced EVs with longer ranges, quicker charging times, and better overall performance.

    However, preferences for electric vehicles can vary greatly…

    Who is your favorite EV manufacturer? Choose one:

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    Tesla sales dropped by 7% in 2025 compared to 2024.

    BYD has surpassed Tesla as the top selling electric car manufacturer.

    Top-Selling Electric Car Manufacturers

    BYD held the top spot as the top-selling electric vehicle manufacturer in 2025

    But there is a serious battle between Tesla and BYD in the electric vehicle market. We show the top 10 top-selling electric car makers in 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing top EV manufacturers by units sold in 2025. Here, BYD is in a substantial lead, even beating Tesla.
    BrandSales
    BYD3,782,861
    Tesla1,443,147
    Geely1,135,113
    Wuling751,531
    Volkswagen557,231
    Leapmotor536,132
    BMW507,063
    Xpeng391,937
    AITO368,275
    Li Auto362,097

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Meanwhile, several new players are making their presence felt in the EV industry.

    Some of them are unique, high tech, and affordable electric vehicles.

    NIO, the Chinese EV startup sold 31,041 electric cars in Q1 2023. In Q1 2025 however, they delivered 42,094 electric cars.

    Rivian, a rising American electric vehicle manufacturer, is also making its mark in the EV industry. They focus on crafting distinctively designed pickup trucks and SUVs.

    All these newcomers bring fresh innovation and competitive pricing to the table, which will ultimately benefit EV drivers.

    EV Sales by Country (China, Europe, US)

    EV sales rose in every region due to increased production, higher gas prices, and targeted policies promoting their market presence.

    China, EU, and the US are regions that dominating global EV markets, recorded about 95% of global electric car sales in 2025.

    Their success can be attributed to factors like:

    • Progressive government electric vehicle incentives
    • Substantial investment in EV charging infrastructure
    • Strong push for sustainable transportation

    China Electric Car Sales

    In 2025 China led the market with over 11 million electric vehicles sold.

    In fact, the share of EV sales reached 37% of all cars sold in China.

    Chinese government EV initiatives are focusing on the development of small and affordable electric vehicle models, which have gained significant popularity in the country. Priced below $10,000, these vehicles cater to a wider audience due to their affordability.

    The market has witnessed the entry of numerous small EV manufacturers, resulting in a diverse array of electric vehicles for sale, offering consumers nearly 300 different models to choose from.

    Top Selling Electric Cars in China

    BYD emerged as the top-selling EV brand in China, with over 1 million electric cars sold.

    However, in 2025 the Geely Xingyuan was the top selling electric car in China.

    Followed by Wuling HongGuang Mini EV, priced under 6500 USD.

    Although we have to consider that 5 out of 10 top selling models belong to BYD.

    These are best-selling EV cars in China from January to November of 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing top selling EVs in China by units sold in Q4 2025, with Geely Xingyuan in the lead, followed by Wuling Mini EV and Tesla Model Y.
    BrandSales
    Geely Geome Xingyuan429,628
    Wuling HongGuang Mini EV406,234
    Tesla Model Y359,463
    BYD Song357,832
    BYD Qin Plus340,478
    BYD Seagull292,649
    BYD Qin L248,921
    Xiaomi SU7247,041
    BYD Seal 06218,455
    Tesla Model 3172,392

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Electric Car Sales Europe

    In Q1 2025, electric car sales in Europe increased by around 28% compared to the same period in 2024.

    In total 4.3 million electric cars were sold across Europe in 2025.

    Best Selling Electric Car in Europe

    In 2025 Tesla Model Y was Europe’s best-selling car.

    We show the numbers of the best-selling EVs in Europe of Q4 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing the top selling EVs in Europe by units sold for Q4 2025, with Tesla Model Y in the lead.
    Electric Car ModelSales
    Tesla Model Y128,246
    Skoda Elroq82,187
    Renault 578,756
    Tesla Model 373,805
    BYD Seal U73,229
    Volkswagen ID.472,977
    Volkswagen ID.370,834
    Skoda Enyaq69,114
    Volkswagen ID.767,771
    BMW iX161,661

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Electric Cars Sales in Germany

    Germany is the leading European country with 1.38 million plug-in cars registered since 2010.

    Also, Germany being Europe’s largest auto market, sold 248,726 electric cars in the first half of 2025.

    In 2025, Volkswagen was the top selling electric car brand in Germany.

    Here are the top 10 best-selling electric car models in Germany:

    A bar chart showcasing the top selling EVs in Germany by units sold for Q4 2025. Volkswagen's ID.3 is leading, followed closely by VW ID.7 and Skoda Elroq
    Electric Car ModelSales
    VW ID.39,214
    VW ID.79,130
    Skoda Elroq9,025
    Skoda Enyaq6,633
    VW ID.4/ID.55,836
    Mini Cooper4,924
    BMW IX14,810
    Cupra Tavascan4,667
    Cupra Born4,378
    Mercedes CLA4,265

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Norway Electric Cars Sales

    In 2025, Norway saw an impressive 98.4% market share for electric vehicles.

    Norway boasts the highest EV market penetration per capita.

    Norwegian enthusiasm for electric cars is unwavering, and Tesla remains the preferred choice.

    In fact, Tesla was the best-selling car brand in Norway in 2025.

    Electric Car ModelSales
    Tesla Model Y8,360
    Tesla Model 33,335
    Volvo EX401,778
    Volvo EX301,683
    VW ID.71,599
    VW ID.41,594
    Skoda Elroq1,219
    Ford Explorer1,135
    Skoda Enyaq942
    Nissan Ariya897

    France Electric Cars Sales

    In Q1 2025, electric vehicle sales in France fell by 7% compared to the same period in 2024, however the full year sales were higher in 2025.

    Renault 5 was the best-selling model in Q4 2025, with 12,374 new registrations.

    These are bestsellers in France:

    A bar chart showcasing the top selling EVs in France by units sold for Q4 2025. Renault 5 is leading by a substantial amount.
    Electric Car ModelSales
    Renault 512,374
    Tesla Model Y7,163
    Peugeot E-2085,672
    Renault Scenic5,026
    Citroen E-C34,175
    Renault 43,377
    Peugeot E-20083,165
    Skoda Elroq2,940
    Renault Megane2,740
    BMW IX12,520

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Electric Car Sales UK

    By the end of 2025, there were over 1.75 million electric vehicles on UK roads, reflecting continued adoption of battery-electric cars (BEVs).

    In 2024, the UK saw a record ~381,970 fully electric cars registered, making up about 19.6 % of all new car sales — a year-on-year increase from 2023.

    In 2025, electric car sales continued to grow: ~473,348 fully electric cars were registered, representing around 23.4 % of all new cars sold across the year and marking a ~21.6 % increase over 2024.

    These were UK’s best-selling manufacturers in 2025:

    A bar chart showcasing top selling EV brands in the UK in 2025, with Ford leading.
    BrandSales
    Ford8.5%
    Tesla8.0%
    BYD7.0%
    VW6.6%
    AUDI6.2%
    Renault5.0%
    BMW4.8%
    Mercedes4.8%
    Skoda4.1%
    Hyundai4.0%

    Source: CleanTechnica

    Electric Car Sales in the US

    Electric car adoption in the US is happening at a faster pace than predicted.

    The US charging infrastructure is getting built out fast, and Tesla’s opening the Supercharger network.

    Electric car sales in the USA reached new highs again in Q1 2025, continuing the long-term growth trend.

    Over 300,000 electric cars were sold during Q1 2025, marking a double-digit percentage increase compared to Q1 2024, according to industry tracking estimates.

    Clearly, Tesla stands as the leading electric car manufacturer, with its undisputed dominance in the US market.

    Now, Tesla is taking up a massive 50% of the US EV market share.

    California has the highest EV demand in the USA with massive numbers of plug-in electric cars sold, accounting for roughly 35-40% of all US electric car sales.

    Best Selling Electric Car in US

    In 2025, these were the top-selling electric car models in US:

    A bar chart showcasing the top selling EVs in the US by units sold in 2025. Tesla Model Y is in a massive lead, followed by Tesla Model 3.
    Electric Car ModelSales
    Tesla Model Y357,582
    Tesla Model 3192,440
    Chevy Equinox EV57,945
    Ford Mustang Mach-E51,620
    Hyundai Ioniq 547,039
    Honda Prologue41,194
    Ford F-150 Lightning27,307
    Rivian R1S24,852
    Chevy Blazer EV22,637
    Volkswagen ID.422,373

    Conclusion

    Based on this research, we expect that the percentage of electric vehicles on our roads will increase to approximately 25% by the end of 2026.

    Is purchasing an EV worth it (would you buy it or not)?

    View Results

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    In conclusion, it seems that the future is looking bright for electric cars and 2026 is expected to be strong in EV sales.

    For sure, we have just started the EV revolution!

    Do you agree? Drop the comment below. 😊

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