10 best-selling electric vehicles globally

The electric car market is growing globally, accounting for about five percent of global cars, driven by the push for cleaner transportation, amid rising fuel costs.

The EV market reached new highs, exceeding 20 million sales, meaning that one in four new cars sold globally was electric in 2025.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the sales share of electric cars in the overall car market increased to 25 percent in 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of annual electric car sales growth of about 3.5 million, a trend that began in 2021 after the Covid‑19 pandemic.

Read also:EV sales surge to record highs as energy crisis accelerates shift from petrol cars

This growing demand has also translated into stronger sales for automakers, prompting manufacturers to expand production and increase investments in EV technology to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing market, with several Chinese brands dominating global rankings alongside established players such as Tesla.

Here are the top 10 best-selling electric vehicles in the world, according to CleanTechnica, April 2026 Global EV Sales Ranking.

Tesla Model Y (Segment D)

Tesla Model Y was the world’s best-selling EV in April 2026 with 71,510 units sold.
Since its announcement in 2019, it has consistently been one of the world’s most popular EVs. Between the Model 3 and the Model Y, Tesla produced 1,600,767 vehicles and delivered 1,585,279 in 2025.

The Tesla Model Y (a D-segment/mid-size SUV) costs range from $41,630 to $59,630, depending on the trim (premium vs. performance)

Geely Xingyuan / EX2 (Segment B)

The Geely Xingyuan (sold internationally as the EX2) is currently one of the most affordable compact EVs globally, with 41,617 units sold in April 2026.

The price of its models ranges from $9,100 to $13,500, as pricing varies by region and configuration.
The car is a BEV HB model featuring an advanced 11-in-1 intelligent electric motor, an independent suspension system, a 540° transparent chassis, and the ONEBOX integrated braking system.

BYD Song / Seal U (Segment D, BEV + PHEV)

The BYD Song (and its global export counterpart, the BYD Seal U) is also dominating the 2026 Segment D market by bridging the gap between affordability and advanced technology.

Offered in both fully electric Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) formats, selling 7,265 BEV and 28,838 PHEV, a total of 36,103 units sold.

This car is sold at roughly $19,000 – $50,000, as prices vary depending on the model and region.

BYD Yuan Up / Atto 2 (Segment B, BEV + PHEV)

The BYD Yuan Up / Atto 2 is a global B-segment crossover leading the 2026 EV market by combining budget-friendly pricing with exceptional dual-powertrain versatility, making electric and hybrid mobility incredibly accessible to urban drivers.

Currently, the prices of this car range from N50 to N55 million in Nigeria, with 21,811 BEV and 5,286 PHEV; a total of 27,097 units sold.

Xiaomi SU7 (Segment E)

The Xiaomi SU7, classified in Segment E (executive/large sedans), is one of the best-selling EVs, combining smartphone-level software integration, supercar-level performance, and an accessible price point.

The electric sedan ranges in price from N75 to N160 million, with 26,826 units sold.

BYD Seagull / Dolphin Mini (Segment B)

The BYD Seagull (marketed globally as the Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf) is a B-segment electric hatchback with ultra-low pricing and advanced technology in the entry-level EV space, selling 25,978 units in April, 2026.

The car is priced between N26 to N40 million, depending on the variant. The compact car also features voice control via a Hi BYD command, allowing drivers to access many key functions without taking their hands off the wheel.

BYD Dolphin (Segment C)

The BYD Dolphin is a global best-selling C-segment (compact) electric hatchback with 22,162 units sold in April, priced between $14,000 to $18,500, as it varies significantly by region.

It is one of the world’s most successful EVs because it combines mainstream affordability, space efficiency, and innovative battery technology in an everyday urban package.

BYD Sealion 06 (Segment D, BEV + PHEV)

The BYD Sealion 06 (also branded as the Sealion 6 in some markets) is a D-Segment mid-size SUV that dominates global EV and PHEV sales due to its best of both worlds (plug-in hybrid) engineering, with 11,099 BEV + 9,968 PHEV, a total of 21,067 units sold in April 2026.

This car costs between $19,300 and $23,000, and it is highly sought after because it solves range anxiety and eliminates the need to rely strictly on public charging infrastructure

Li i6 (Segment D)

The Li Auto i6 is a highly successful, all-electric, 5-seat crossover (D-segment) that anchors Li Auto’s pure-electric vehicle pivot, and it sold 21,024 units in April 2026.

It is priced at approximately $35,000, and has become the brand’s primary volume driver, frequently breaking 20,000+ monthly deliveries

Tesla Model 3 (Segment D)

The Tesla Model 3 is the premier Segment D (compact executive) electric sedan. It dominates the global market by balancing accessible pricing, exceptional driving range, and access to a reliable, widespread charging infrastructure, with an estimated range of 332 miles.

The car, since its announcement in 2017, has routinely topped best-selling charts in the US and UK, selling 20,436 units in April 2026, with its price starting at a global base price of around $38,630.