When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn The world of electric vehicles (EVs) is charging ahead, with EV statistics showing record-breaking sales and explosive growth across every region.
China, the US, and Europe are leading the game, but challenges like trade barriers and overproduction are testing automakers worldwide. Still, as the race toward sustainability accelerates, the electric vehicle statistics prove that EVs are the future.
Explore the latest insights shaping the electric vehicle industry and discover what’s driving the change.
Key Takeaways
- More than 3 million EVs were sold worldwide in Q1 2024, a 25% rise compared to 2023.
- An estimated 17 million EV sales were expected by the end of 2024.
- China leads the global EV market, making up nearly 60% of all EV registrations in 2023.
- Europe and the US EV markets continue to grow, supported by strong government policies.
- By 2030, over half of all vehicle models will be electric, and EVs are expected to account for 40-60% of light-duty vehicle sales worldwide.
- Overproduction and trade barriers are creating difficulties, pushing Chinese automakers to consider low-cost production locations like Morocco and Turkey.
- Companies like BYD, Tesla, and Volkswagen are leading the market.
EV Market Growth Statistics
Electric vehicle statistics show a strong global move toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation. With growing sales and advancements in technology, regions like the US, Europe, and China are at the forefront of this transformation.
This section looks at the latest trends in EV adoption across these regions, showing how electric vehicles are changing the future of the car industry.
For the Q1 2024, EV sales comprised:
- 3 million globally
- 350,000 in the US
- 800,000 in Europe
- 1.9 million in China
Worldwide Electric Vehicle Statistics
In the first quarter of 2024, EV sales statistics revealed that over 3 million EVs were sold globally, a 25% increase from the same period last year (IEA, 2024).
As of April 2024, the projected performance for the rest of 2024 were as follows:
- 17 million in sales by the end of 2024, representing a more than 20% year-on-year increase.
- New purchases accelerating in the second half of the year.
If so, electric cars could account for over one in five cars sold across the entire calendar year.
EV statistics also show that the total number of EV sales in 2023 neared 14 million.
This brought the total number of EVs on the roads to 40 million.
Furthermore, electric vehicle usage statistics show that this figure was 3.5 million higher than sales registered in 2022 – a 35% year-on-year increase.
In 2023, electric vehicle industry statistics showed that electric cars accounted for around 18% of all cars sold in 2023. This is up from 14% in 2022 and only 2% 5 years earlier, in 2018.
Regional Electric Vehicle Statistics
The US
By Q1 2024, EV sales in the US reached around 350,000.
Electric vehicle market statistics show that this marks a 15% increase compared to Q1 2023, with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) experiencing 50% growth.
In 2023, the number of EV sales in the US increased by 1,300% compared with 2013.
From 100,000 EVs sold in 2013, the US saw growth to 1.4 million EVs sold in 2023, highlighting a sustained demand for cleaner transportation options.
Furthermore, in 2023, the US EV percentage by country increased significantly – 10% of global EV sales, with approximately one in ten new car registrations being electric.
Statistics of electric cars highlight that new EV registrations in the US increased by over 40% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting growing adoption despite a slowdown in relative growth.
Europe
By Q1 2024, EV sales in Europe reached nearly 800,000, growing by over 5% compared to the same period in 2023.
In Europe, the EV percentage by country varied, but overall, one in four new cars sold was electric in Q1 2024.
In 2023, electric vehicle usage statistics from Europe revealed that EVs accounted for 25% of global EV registrations.
This figure was reached thanks to the 3.2 million new EVs registered in 2023 – a 20% increase from 2022.
Norway remained the leader in European EV sale shares, with nearly 95% of all cars sold being electric.
The government has made EVs more affordable by offering tax exemptions and lower toll fees, making them cheaper than cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). In 2023, Norway also introduced weight-based taxes for heavier cars, encouraging the use of smaller and more efficient electric vehicles.
China
By Q1 2024, EV sales in China reached about 1.9 million, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
In March 2024, electric vehicle stats highlighted that electric vehicles made up more than 40% of all car sales in the country, the highest percentage worldwide.
In 2023, China led the global EV market, with EV sales statistics indicating that the country sold 8.1 million new electric cars.
Electric car popularity statistics revealed that China made up nearly 60% of all EV registrations worldwide.
China was also the largest car exporter in 2023, shipping over 4 million cars – 1.2 million of which were electric.
This represented a huge 80% increase in exports of electric vehicles from 2022. Major markets included Europe and Asia-Pacific countries like Thailand and Australia.
It’s also interesting to note that China remains a global exception in terms of available, inexpensive electric models.
Chinese manufacturers offer many low-cost EVs, with more than 50 models priced under CNY 100,000 (USD 15,000).
EV Market Leaders & Best-Selling Models
The electric vehicle market is growing quickly, with top brands and models leading the way in sales and innovation. Companies like BYD, Tesla, and Volkswagen are taking the lead by offering a mix of affordable, high-quality, and advanced electric cars.
This section looks at the top global EV brands, their impressive achievements, and the most popular models in important markets like the US and Europe.
Leading Global EV Brands
- BYD, the Chinese EV leader, continued to dominate the global EV market with record-breaking sales (Clean Technica, 2024a). It recorded 399,442 sales in September 2024, setting another new record. With its wide range of affordable and innovative models, BYD has secured its position as the top EV brand worldwide.
- Tesla, the American EV pioneer, held second place in global sales. It sold 191,430 units in September 2024, which marked a 24% increase compared to August.
- Wuling, known for its affordable compact EVs, ranked third with 68,605 sales. Its popular models, such as the Wuling Mini EV and Bingo, continue to attract customers in China and other emerging markets.
- Li Auto, another rising Chinese EV brand, showed strong growth with 55,602 units sold. The brand’s success is driven by innovative models like the L6 SUV and L5 sedan, which are becoming increasingly popular.
- Geely secured the fifth spot with 53,358 sales in September 2024. New models like the Galaxy E5 and Galaxy Starship 7 have boosted Geely’s sales, and the brand is expected to climb higher in the rankings soon.
- Volkswagen, a leading European carmaker, ranked sixth with 44,434 units sold, its best monthly performance in 2024. Electric vehicle market statistics reveal that steady sales of its ID.3 and ID.4 models, along with the launch of the new VW ID.7, supported its growth.
- BMW followed in seventh place with 42,063 sales, maintaining its position as a top premium EV brand. The success of models like the i4 and iX1 highlights BMW’s strong presence in the EV market.
- AITO, another Chinese brand, secured eighth place with 35,833 sales.
- Aion, followed with 33,589 sales, showing the growing influence of Chinese automakers.
- Mercedes completed the top 10 with 33,219 units sold in September 2024. The luxury carmaker’s focus on premium EVs, such as the EQS and EQB, has strengthened its global position.
Top Selling EV Models in the US
Tesla remains the leader in the US EV market, with its range of vehicles topping sales across various categories (Kelley Blue Book, 2024).
The Tesla Model Y, a versatile and practical crossover, was the best-selling EV in the US in 2024 with 372,613 units sold.
However, this was a 6.6% decrease compared to 2023. Even so, the Model Y still made up 23% of all EV sales last year.
Electric vehicle stats revealed that the Tesla Model 3 took second place with 189,903 units sold in 2024, although this was 17% lower than in 2023. Despite the drop, it remains a favorite because of its combination of affordability and performance.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E had an excellent year, ranking third with 51,745 units sold in 2024. This marked a 26.9% increase from the year before. Its mix of classic Mustang design and modern EV technology has been well-received.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 also performed strongly, with 44,400 units sold in 2024. This was a 31% rise from 2023, thanks to its stylish design and eco-friendly features, which appeal to many EV buyers.
Tesla’s new Cybertruck entered the market with a strong start, selling 38,965 units in 2024. This made it the fifth-best-selling EV in the US.
The Ford F-150 Lightning also had a successful year, with 33,510 units sold in 2024. This figure was up by 38.7% compared to 2023. This electric version of the well-known F-150 pickup truck has attracted many traditional truck buyers moving to EVs.
Top Selling EV Models in Europe
Tesla, the US-based electric car manufacturer, maintained its leading position in Europe’s EV market in November 2024 (Clean Technica, 2024b).
The Tesla Model Y, a popular crossover, was the top-selling EV in Europe, with 16,618 units sold. However, this was 8% less than the same period last year, suggesting that the Model Y may have reached its peak sales in the region.
Tesla’s Model 3 also performed well, taking third place with 8,663 units sold. This was 50% lower than in November 2023, but the high sales last year were due to the launch of the refreshed version at that time.
Czech automaker Skoda had a strong month with its Enyaq model, which ranked second in November 2024. The Enyaq sold 9,936 units, a 17% increase compared to last year. Its success shows Skoda’s growing influence in the EV market, with even more potential expected after the release of its smaller and more affordable Elroq model.
Volkswagen also made a strong impact with its ID.4 compact crossover, which ranked fourth with 6,465 sales, marking a 10% increase compared to last year.
Another notable performer was the new VW ID.7, which sold 5,290 units and secured sixth place, proving Volkswagen’s ability to expand its EV lineup.
The Audi Q4 e-tron, another model from the Volkswagen Group, sold 4,587 units, taking 11th place. Other Volkswagen models, such as the ID.3 and Tiguan PHEV, also made it to the top 20.
Swedish carmaker Volvo secured two spots in the top 10. The fully electric Volvo EX30 ranked fifth with 6,268 units sold, despite challenges caused by tariffs on EVs made in China. The XC60 PHEV, one of Europe’s most popular plug-in hybrids, ranked seventh with 5,279 sales.
BMW continued its success with the iX1 compact SUV, selling 4,853 units and earning ninth place. Its other model, the BMW i4, also performed well, making it into the top 20 with 3,402 units sold.
Mercedes-Benz achieved a record for its EQA, which ranked 10th with 4,641 sales.
The larger EQB also performed strongly, ranking 15th with 3,748 sales, further strengthening Mercedes-Benz’s position in the premium EV market.
For the first time in years, Renault had two models in the top 20. The Renault 5 hatchback entered the list at 16th place with 3,658 units sold, while the Scenic MPV crossover ranked 19th with 3,296 units.
Future Predictions for the EV Market
The EV market is growing quickly, powered by new technology, strong government support, and changing consumer choices.
This section looks at key trends, regional forecasts, and challenges that will shape the future of the EV market, showing how electric vehicles are becoming an essential part of sustainable transport.
Global Growth of Electric Vehicles
By 2030, more than 50% of all vehicle models made by automakers worldwide will be electric, according to Gartner.
Despite challenges such as trade barriers and overproduction, the global push for electrification is clear. Governments, consumers, and manufacturers are all working toward a more sustainable future.
This means the EV market is expected to grow by 23% every year, driven by advances in technology, government support, and increasing demand.
EV sales are predicted to make up 40% of all light-duty vehicle (LDV) sales by 2030 and 55% by 2035 in the STEPS scenario. Under the Announced Pledges Scenario (APS), sales could reach 65% by 2035.
What Do STEPS & APS Mean?
Regional Predictions & Challenges
As the largest EV market, China is expected to stay in the lead. Experts predict that EVs will account for 50% of all passenger vehicle sales by 2025 and nearly 85% by 2035 (IEA, 2024).
This growth is thanks to strong government policies and a highly developed manufacturing sector.
However, trade barriers between China and the US and EU might slow down the adoption of advanced technologies (Gartner, 2025).
These technologies include autonomous driving and connected EV systems.
In the US, EV sales are expected to reach 55% of LDV sales by 2030 and 70% by 2035 (IEA, 2024).
Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Advanced Clean Cars regulations are helping drive this growth.
Meanwhile, Europe is expected to remain one of the leaders in EV adoption. By 2030, EVs are predicted to make up 60% of LDV sales, increasing to over 85% by 2035.
Strict emissions regulations and strong government programs are key to this success.
Challenges for Automakers
Gartner predicts that there will be car factory closures or sales to other companies in 2025.
This is because many factories in Europe and North America are producing more cars than the market demands, making some plants unprofitable.
Tariffs in the US and EU on Chinese EVs are making it harder for Chinese automakers to compete in these regions.
To avoid these tariffs, many Chinese manufacturers are looking to open factories in free-trade zones like Morocco or Turkey. These low-cost regions are becoming popular for car production because of lower costs and favorable trade policies.
The Bottom Line
Electric vehicle statistics reveal a world rapidly shifting toward electrification, with record-breaking sales, innovative models, and ambitious growth predictions dominating the global market.
As challenges like trade barriers and overproduction test automakers, one thing is clear: the EV revolution is unstoppable, and the road ahead promises an electrifying future for transportation.
Don’t miss out – stay ahead with the latest EV statistics and trends.
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References
- Trends in electric cars – Global EV Outlook 2024 – Analysis – IEA (IEA)
- World EV Sales Report — Top Selling Auto Brands & Groups (Clean Technica)
- Q4 2024 Kelley Blue Book EV Sales Report (Coxautoinc)
- Europe EV Sales Report — In November, 25% of New Cars Had a Plug (Clean Technica)
- Gartner Identifies Key Automotive Trends for 2025 (Gartner)
