2023

Even as the global light vehicle market slows, EV sales—battery electrics and plug-in hybrids—are expected to exceed 14 million units in 2023, marking a 34% increase over 2022, according to EV Volumes, an online data provider. EVs could reach a global market share of 16% when the 2023 numbers are finalized.

Registrations of EVs have cooled alongside those of internal combustion engine vehicles, and analysts are revising global forecasts downward. A mix of expiring subsidies in Europe and economic uncertainty in the United States and China has slowed momentum after two strong years of growth.

China continues to lead the world in EV sales. In 2023, Chinese automaker BYD overtook Tesla as the top-selling EV manufacturer globally, according to Reuters. Drivers in China purchased more than 8 million EVs, with BYD accounting for over 3 million of those units. Europe approached sales of 3 million EVs, including 2 million battery electrics, while the United States recorded 2 million EV sales, split evenly between battery and plug-in hybrids.

2022

Tesla remained a dominant player in 2022. Global deliveries of EVs totaled 10.5 million units, a 55% increase from 2021. EVs accounted for 13% of all light vehicle sales worldwide, up from 8.3% the year prior.

Component shortages and a cooling global auto market tempered growth compared with previous years. Still, one in four vehicles sold in China in 2022 was an EV. Despite challenges such as a real estate downturn and additional COVID-19 outbreaks, China saw EV sales rise 82% to 6.9 million units. BYD and Tesla led the market.

Europe recorded 1.13 million EV sales, a 15% increase from 2021. Norway maintained its lead in EV adoption, with battery electrics accounting for 71% of vehicle sales and plug-in hybrids for 8%. North American EV sales grew 48% year over year, reaching 918,500 units.

Emerging markets showed the fastest growth. Indonesia’s EV sales rose from 1,000 to 10,000 units. India saw a 223% increase to 50,000 units, and New Zealand rose 151% to 23,000 units.

2021

Despite pandemic lockdowns and economic disruption, global EV sales surged in 2021. Registrations reached 6.75 million units, a 108% increase over 2020, according to EV Volumes. However, the numbers were less dramatic when adjusted for declining sales of conventional vehicles.

In China, EV sales rose by more than 2 million units as commuters favored electric vehicles over public transit. European growth was more modest.

Elsewhere, growth was steady. South Korea increased sales by 64,200 units to a total of 114,500. Israel, Australia, India and Japan each added more than 10,000 units. Smaller markets such as Brazil, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and Singapore saw EV sales climb by more than 200%. Automakers continued expanding EV offerings beyond China, Europe and North America.

New EV registrations in Europe reached 878,092. In the United States, sales nearly doubled to 608,000 units.

2020

Although 2020 began with a sharp downturn in global EV sales, the year ended with more than 7.5 million plug-in vehicles on the road. Most were in China, and the Tesla Model 3 outsold all other EV models combined, even during the height of the pandemic.

Global plug-in sales totaled 2.97 million units in 2020, capturing 2.7% of total light vehicle registrations.

China’s EV market share rose to 4.3%, up from 4% in 2019, with 1.27 million units sold. Europe reached a 3.8% share with 536,200 units registered. The United States led in plug-in market share at 5.5%, with 308,000 EVs registered.