China has solidified its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, accounting for the majority of global battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the first four months of 2025, and it wasn’t even close.
According to data from EV Volumes, China was responsible for 57.5% of all BEV sales globally between January and April, widening the gap with the United States and other markets and showcasing China’s importance in the global auto market.
During the same period, BEV registrations surged by 39% year-over-year, reaching approximately 3.79 million units worldwide. In comparison, the U.S. contributed just 9.8% of global BEV sales, while Germany, the UK, and France trailed even further behind with single-digit market shares. (via Autovista24)
Despite growing competition in China and Europe, Tesla maintained its global leadership in BEV sales, thanks to the continued popularity of the Model Y and Model 3. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling EV in the world, with 259,152 units sold, giving it a commanding 6.8% global market share. The Model 3 followed in second place, registering 143,358 units for a 3.8% share.
Both vehicles have consistently led international EV charts, bolstered by Tesla’s global manufacturing footprint and established charging infrastructure. However, market dynamics are shifting. Tesla’s performance in Europe and China has been challenged by a flood of affordable domestic EVs, particularly from BYD, Wuling, and Geely.
Meanwhile, in North America, rising competition from Ford, Hyundai, and Rivian has led to a slight year-over-year decline in Tesla’s regional sales.
The BYD Seagull (also known as the Dolphin Mini) ranked third worldwide with 127,817 registrations, followed closely by the Wuling Mini EV and Geely Geome Xingyuan, each securing over 125,000 sales. Notably, several Chinese automakers placed multiple models in the global top 10, underscoring the country’s dominance not only in total volume but also in model diversity.
Tesla’s position at the top is impressive but not unchallenged. As Chinese manufacturers scale up production and expand into international markets, the race for BEV leadership is likely to intensify.
While Tesla continues to lead the world in individual EV model sales, China is leading the EV revolution overall, far outpacing every other country in both BEV and plug-in hybrid registrations.
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