Plug-in electric vehicle sales worldwide by manufacturer 2019

Tesla was ranked as the best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer worldwide after selling between 367,000 and 368,000 units in 2019. Chinese manufacturers BYD, BAIC, and SAIC were among the runners-up.

Tesla’s journey to success

Tesla's vehicles are regular contenders in race for the best-selling electric vehicle model worldwide. Tesla almost doubled its revenues between 2017 and 2018, with automotive sales accounting for around 17.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2018.

Plug-in electric vehicles explained

There are two types of plug-in electric vehicles: battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Both contain a charging socket and a rechargeable battery that can power the vehicle on its own. However, a PHEV also includes a traditional internal combustion engine, which kicks in should the battery reach a low level. Therefore, a BEV is the only zero-emission vehicle. Manufacturers such as SAIC and BMW produce both, battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, but Tesla exclusively builds all-electric vehicles; the American company launched its first battery-powered car in 2008, the Roadster.