The electric vehicle (EV) market continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, and keeping track of which brands are leading in sales gives insight into the direction of global mobility. In this article we review the 2025 global EV sales by brand, using the most recent data available, and highlight how BYD Auto, Tesla, Inc., Volkswagen Group and Hyundai Motor Group are performing in the plug-in vehicle space.
1. Global EV Market Overview in 2025
According to data from sources like EVVolumes and industry monitors, the global plug-in vehicle market (BEVs + PHEVs) between January and September 2025 reached approximately 15.18 million units, representing roughly a 30 % year-on-year increase.
Within that:
- BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) accounted for about 9.76 million units in the first nine months, up ~33 % year-on-year.
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) accounted for ~5.43 million units in the same period.
This sets the stage for ranking brands by their share of this growing market.
Trending: Best EV Stocks to Watch in December 2025: Top Companies, Risks & Real Opportunities
2. Brand Leaderboard: Top Brands & Their Sales in 2025
a) BYD Auto
- Between January and September 2025, BYD sold about 2,928,446 plug-in vehicles, representing ~19.3 % of all plug-in vehicle sales worldwide.
- Growth was ~15.3 % year-on-year for that period.
- Note: The figure includes both BEVs and PHEVs under the BYD brand.
b) Tesla, Inc.
- For the first nine months of 2025, Tesla delivered approximately 1,216,655 BEVs (since Tesla is a BEV-only brand) worldwide, equating to about 8.0 % of the global plug-in market.
- Its market share dropped by ~3.1 percentage-points compared to the same period in 2024.
c) Volkswagen Group
- The VW Group delivered about 717,500 BEVs in the first nine months of 2025, representing a ~41.7 % increase versus the same period last year.
- While Volkswagen publishes overall vehicle deliveries, the BEV figure gives insight into its EV strength.
d) Hyundai Motor Group
- A reported figure places Hyundai Motor Group at ~481,000 plug-in vehicles (BEVs + PHEVs) delivered in the first nine months of 2025, up ~17.2 % year-on-year.
3. Market Share & Trends Insights
From the numbers above:
- BYD holds the largest single-brand share of the global plug-in market in 2025 (~19.3 %) through a large mix of BEVs and PHEVs.
- Tesla remains a major player but its share is shrinking relative to the rapid growth of others.
- Volkswagen is accelerating in BEV delivery growth, positioning itself strongly especially outside China.
- Hyundai is growing steadily and capturing more share, especially in electrified vehicles globally.
Key trend: The market is no longer dominated exclusively by Tesla — Chinese brands and large global automakers are catching up fast.
4. Why These Brands Lead: Key Drivers
BYD
- Massive volume, strong cost control, wide PHEV + BEV portfolio.
- Strong home market in China and growing exports.
Tesla
- Brand strength, BEV-only focus, charging infrastructure lead.
- But facing increased competition and global market share pressures.
Volkswagen
- Large global manufacturing footprint, strong push into EVs, platform scale.
- Growth being driven partly by Europe and other markets outside China.
Hyundai
- Balanced portfolio, strong electrification ambitions, increasing global reach.
- Benefiting from incentive programs and expanding EV models.
5. What to Watch: Risks & Disadvantages
- Low-cost competition from Chinese brands may pressure margins for all.
- Incentives and subsidies vary by country — brands are vulnerable to policy changes.
- Supply-chain constraints (batteries, chips) may slow delivery growth despite demand.
- Some brands may struggle if they cannot scale EV platforms as quickly as their peers.
The 2025 global EV sales by brand leaderboard underscores a major shift:
- BYD has taken a clear lead in plug-in vehicle volume.
- Tesla remains influential but must innovate to maintain share.
- Volkswagen and Hyundai are emerging as major global EV contenders.
For anyone tracking the EV industry — or investing in it — these four brands offer key signals of where the market is headed.
Read more: 2025 EV Range Rankings: Real-World Performance from Longest to Shortest
