Global EV and PHEV sales hit new highs in 2025, with Tesla's Model Y claiming the top spot at 841,293 units from January to October. BYD secures multiple podium finishes, per CleanTechnica's latest rankings—detailed top 20 list inside.
The Tesla Model Y has emerged as the world's best-selling electric vehicle through the first 10 months of 2025, according to data compiled by CleanTechnica. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) model recorded 841,293 units sold globally from January to October, underscoring Tesla's continued stronghold in the EV market.
CleanTechnica's report aggregates sales across BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), highlighting a mix of pure electrics and hybrids that propelled the segment forward. Chinese manufacturers, particularly BYD, feature prominently, with 11 models in the top 20, reflecting their aggressive push into both domestic and international markets.
Tesla secured two spots in the top three, with the Model Y far outpacing rivals, while the Model 3 followed in third place with 412,630 units, all as BEVs.
BYD's diverse lineup dominated the mid-tier rankings, blending BEV and PHEV variants. The Song/Seal models, combining BEV and PHEV sales, notched 499,364 units (91,513 BEV + 407,851 PHEV), securing second place overall.
Other standout entries include Geely's Geometry Xingyuan in fourth with 387,605 BEV units, and BYD's Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Surf in fifth at 366,211 BEVs.
Here's the full top 10 from CleanTechnica's data:
| Rank | Model | Type | Total Sales | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | BEV | 841,293 | - |
| 2 | BYD Song/Seal | BEV+PHEV | 499,364 | 91,513 BEV + 407,851 PHEV |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | BEV | 412,630 | - |
| 4 | Geely Geometry Xingyuan | BEV | 387,605 | - |
| 5 | BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Surf | BEV | 366,211 | - |
| 6 | Wuling HongGuang Mini EV | BEV | 349,568 | - |
| 7 | BYD Qin Plus | BEV+PHEV | 311,555 | 93,185 BEV + 218,370 PHEV |
| 8 | Xiaomi SU7 | BEV | 234,561 | - |
| 9 | BYD Qin L | BEV+PHEV | 231,057 | 28,620 BEV + 202,437 PHEV |
| 10 | BYD Dolphin | BEV | 204,176 | - |
The rankings continue to showcase Chinese dominance, with BYD claiming seven positions overall. The Seal 06 (BEV+PHEV) landed in 11th with 200,787 units (33,692 BEV + 167,095 PHEV), while the Yuan Plus/Atto 3 followed in 12th at 195,628 BEVs.
Xpeng's Mona M03 entered at 14th with 148,121 BEVs, and Changan's Lumin secured 15th place with 147,850 BEVs. Volkswagen's ID.4, a European stalwart, rounded out the teens in 17th with 141,625 BEVs.
The remaining 10 to complete top 20 list is as follows:
| Rank | Model | Type | Total Sales | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | BYD Seal 06 | BEV+PHEV | 200,787 | 33,692 BEV + 167,095 PHEV |
| 12 | BYD Yuan Plus/Atto 3 | BEV | 195,628 | - |
| 13 | BYD Yuan UP/Atto 2 | BEV | 175,742 | - |
| 14 | Xpeng Mona M03 | BEV | 148,121 | - |
| 15 | Changan Lumin | BEV | 147,850 | - |
| 16 | Li Xiang L6 | BEV | 144,406 | - |
| 17 | VW ID.4 | BEV | 141,625 | - |
| 18 | Geely Panda Mini | BEV | 140,424 | - |
| 19 | BYD Song L | BEV+PHEV | 127,199 | 24,486 BEV + 102,713 PHEV |
| 20 | Wuling Bingo | BEV | 123,672 | - |
CleanTechnica's compilation draws from global sales reports, emphasizing the blend of BEVs (dark green in charts) and PHEVs (light green) to provide a comprehensive view of electrified vehicle momentum.
These figures represent cumulative sales up to October 2025, capturing a period of steady growth amid expanding infrastructure and policy supports worldwide.
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training. A former banker with experience in credit, retail banking, and financial stress testing at large institutions, he founded ElecTree in 2023 — building it into India's dedicated platform for 4-wheeler EV data, sales analysis, and original reporting. Over three years, Suhail has established ElecTree as a trusted resource for accurate, verified, and fact-first electric vehicle journalism in India. He is a recognized voice in the Indian EV community, engaging regularly with owners, enthusiasts, and industry observers through ElecTree's editorial work and its owner community platform, Electree Surge. His work sits at the intersection of economic analysis and electric mobility — bringing a banker's rigour to a sector that deserves it.