According to CleanTechnica data, global electric vehicle sales reached 17.23 million units in 2024.
The Tesla Model Y was the world's best-selling electric car with sales of 1.17 million units.
Tesla Model Y achieved this title for three consecutive years. However, its 2024 sales volume decreased by 3% (year-on-year).
"This crossover is only one title away from equaling the two electric cars with the best sales records, namely the Nissan Leaf (2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016) and the Tesla Model 3 (2018-2021)," wrote CleanTechnica in its report on Thursday (6/2/2025).
Next in position is the BYD Song or Seal U, which recorded sales of 739,425 units last year. This figure comes from sales of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
Below is a complete list of the top 10 best-selling electric vehicles globally in 2024:
1. Tesla Model Y: 1.17 million units
2. BYD Song/Seal U (BEV+PHEV): 739,425 units
3. Tesla Model 3: 533,569 units
4. BYD Seagull/Dolphin Mini: 489,019 units
5. BYD Qin Plus (BEV+PHEV): 488,604 units
6. BYD Yuan Plus/Atto 3: 356,610 units
7. Wuling Air EV: 261,187 units
8. BYD Destroyer 05: 236,285 units
9. BYD Han (BEV+PHEV): 230,673 units
10. BYD Qin L: 229,591 units