Top Selling Electric Vehicles in the World — April 2026

Electric vehicle (EV) registrations worldwide continued to grow in April 2026, reaching approximately 1.6 million units, marking a 9% increase year-on-year. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) drove this growth with a 19% rise, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) declined by 9%, extending a four-month negative trend for PHEVs. As a result, BEVs accounted for 72% of all plugin sales in April, pushing the year-to-date share to 70%, the highest proportion in over a decade. This divergence highlights a clear market shift favouring pure electric models over hybrids. The global EV market’s mixed performance is largely influenced by changes in government incentives, particularly in the United States and China, the world’s two largest EV markets. The cessation of US incentives in October 2025 and the partial removal of subsidies in China at the end of last year have dampened growth in these regions. However, excluding these markets, global EV sales surged by 50% year-on-year in April, with BEVs experiencing a remarkable 63% increase. Several emerging markets, including Australia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Argentina, showed exceptional growth rates, signalling a broadening of EV adoption beyond traditional strongholds. In terms of market share, BEVs captured 17% of global new car sales in April, rising to 24% when combined with PHEVs. The overall plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) share for 2026 now stands at 21%, with electrified vehicles—including hybrids without plugs—making up 36% of total sales. This steady increase underscores the automotive industry’s accelerating shift towards electrification, despite regional fluctuations and the ongoing challenges faced by PHEVs. Looking at individual models, the Tesla Model Y maintained its position as the world’s best-selling EV, with 71,510 units sold in April, marking a 31% increase year-on-year. The Model 3, however, dropped to tenth place amid a 29% sales decline. Chinese manufacturers dominated the top 20 list, with models like the Geely Xingyuan, BYD Song, and BYD Yuan Up/Atto 2 showing strong performances, aided by recent model refreshes and new variants. Emerging players such as Leapmotor also made notable entries, indicating increased competition and innovation within the Chinese EV sector. The evolving landscape suggests that legacy automakers are still trailing behind in the global EV race, with BMW’s iX1/X1 PHEV twins being the highest-ranking traditional brand outside the top 20. Tesla’s dominance remains unchallenged for now, but the imminent arrival of new BEV models from established manufacturers like Toyota signals a potential shift. The sustained growth in diverse markets and the expanding range of competitive models point to a robust future for electric vehicles worldwide.