Plug-in electric vehicle sales market share by producer 2021

Tesla was ranked as the best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer worldwide after selling close to 936,200 units in 2021. Tesla's sales volume translates into a market share of just under 14 percent. Volkswagen Group and BYD were among the runners-up.

Plug-in electric vehicles explained

Plug-in electric vehicle registrations have been on the rise in 2021, with the Chinese electric vehicle market growing by 155 percent year-over-year. 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. BEVs are a growing market, with global 2021 sales over double 2020 sales.

What type of electric vehicles do producers build?

Manufacturers such as SAIC and Bayerische Motoren Werke (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. In 2021, Tesla's model line-up included Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The Model 3 was the best-selling plug-in electric vehicle model worldwide that same year, though six of the leading ten PEV models were from Chinese brands, reflecting the fast-paced EV market in Asia-Pacific.