Forget the slow burn—the electric vehicle revolution has officially gone supersonic, with 2023 seeing one in every five new cars sold globally plugging in.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, global plug-in electric vehicle sales reached 14.2 million units, representing a 35% year-over-year increase from 10.5 million in 2022
- Global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales hit 9.5 million units in 2023, accounting for 67% of total EV sales
- Worldwide plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales totaled 4.7 million units in 2023, up 29% from the previous year
- US electric vehicle sales reached 1.18 million units in 2023, a 50% increase from 775,000 in 2022
- In California, EV sales totaled 576,000 units in 2023, representing 25% of new car sales
- US BEV sales were 775,000 in 2023, 66% of total EV sales
- In Europe, EV sales reached 2.4 million units in 2023, 14.6% market share
- Germany saw 524,000 EV sales in 2023, 18.4% of new cars
- Norway led Europe with 82% EV market share in 2023, sales at 144,000 units
- China EV sales exploded to 9.5 million units in 2023, 38% of total car sales
- BYD sold 3.02 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China in 2023
- Tesla China sales: 603,000 units in 2023, up 8% YoY
- Global EV sales projected to reach 17 million units in 2024, 20% growth
- EV market share expected to hit 25% globally by 2025
- Cumulative EV sales worldwide forecast: 250 million by 2030
Global electric car sales grew robustly in 2023, surpassing one in five new cars sold worldwide.
Asian Sales Figures
- China EV sales exploded to 9.5 million units in 2023, 38% of total car sales
- BYD sold 3.02 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China in 2023
- Tesla China sales: 603,000 units in 2023, up 8% YoY
- China's BEV sales reached 6.3 million in 2023, 25% of passenger cars
- Wuling Hongguang Mini EV sold 486,000 units in China 2023
- China PHEV sales: 3.2 million units in 2023, up 80% YoY
- In Q4 2023, China NEV sales hit 3.1 million, 50% penetration
- Cumulative China EV stock: 25 million by end-2023
- Geely sold 1.69 million NEVs in China 2023
- China's EV exports reached 1.2 million units in 2023, up 70%
- Aito (Huawei-Seres) sold 320,000 vehicles in China 2023
- China bus EV sales: 150,000 units in 2023
- Xiaomi SU7 pre-orders in China exceeded 50,000 in first 27 minutes in 2024 launch, but 2023 context
- Li Auto sales: 376,000 in China 2023, up 236% YoY
- China's city penetration: Beijing 40%, Shanghai 35% EV sales share 2023
- Nio delivered 160,000 EVs in China 2023
- Xpeng sales: 141,000 in China 2023, up 17% YoY
- China's NEV credit trading volume hit record in 2023
- Zeekr sales: 118,000 premium EVs in China 2023
- In India, EV sales reached 1.5 million units (mostly two-wheelers) in FY2023
- Japan EV sales: 84,000 units in 2023, 2.2% share
- South Korea EV sales: 240,000 units in 2023, 10% share
- Thailand EV sales: 76,000 units in 2023, up 684% YoY
Asian Sales Figures Interpretation
China has turned the global EV race into a one-lap demolition derby, selling more electric cars in 2023 than the next few contenders combined while simultaneously electrifying its own roads and exporting its dominance with an almost comical disregard for the rest of the world's pace.
European Market Insights
- In Europe, EV sales reached 2.4 million units in 2023, 14.6% market share
- Germany saw 524,000 EV sales in 2023, 18.4% of new cars
- Norway led Europe with 82% EV market share in 2023, sales at 144,000 units
- UK EV sales: 314,000 units in 2023, 16.5% share, up 25% YoY
- France registered 456,000 EVs/PHEVs in 2023, 20% market share
- BEV sales in EU27+UK+EFTA were 1.5 million in 2023
- Sweden EV sales: 134,000 units, 44% share in 2023
- Netherlands EV registrations: 163,000 in 2023, down 16% YoY
- Italy EV sales grew 36% to 188,000 units (including PHEV) in 2023
- Spain saw 172,000 EV/PHEV sales in 2023, 15% share
- Europe's EV sales Q4 2023: 640,000 units, up 20% YoY
- Volkswagen Group sold 771,000 EVs in Europe in 2023
- Tesla sold 442,000 EVs in Europe in 2023, Model Y top seller
- BMW i-series sales in Europe: 266,000 units in 2023, up 75% YoY
- In 2023, Europe's PHEV sales were 942,000 units, 5.4% share
- Denmark EV market share: 51% in 2023, sales 85,000 units
- Belgium EV sales: 131,000 units, 23% share in 2023
- Europe's EV sales growth slowed to 15% in 2023 from 37% in 2022
- Finland EV sales: 46,000 units, 29% share in 2023
- Portugal EV registrations: 79,000 in 2023, up 66% YoY
- In Q3 2023, EU EV sales were 500,000 units
- Mercedes EV sales in Europe: 150,000 units in 2023
- Audi e-tron sales Europe: 64,000 in 2023
- Europe's used EV sales reached 500,000 in 2023
- Ireland EV sales: 45,000 units, 23% share in 2023
European Market Insights Interpretation
Europe’s electric vehicle market is a mixed yet accelerating charge, with Norway racing ahead at 82% adoption while Germany flexes its industrial muscle in volume, yet the continent’s overall growth is downshifting even as brands like BMW surge—proving the transition is real, but the road ahead has its bumps and thrilling straights.
Future Projections and Trends
- Global EV sales projected to reach 17 million units in 2024, 20% growth
- EV market share expected to hit 25% globally by 2025
- Cumulative EV sales worldwide forecast: 250 million by 2030
- China EV sales projected at 11 million in 2024, 45% penetration
- US EV sales forecast: 1.7 million units in 2024, 9.5% share
- Europe EV sales expected 3.5 million in 2024, 20% share
- Battery prices to fall 50% by 2026 to $58/kWh, boosting sales
- Global EV stock to reach 250 million by 2030, 28% of fleet
- Tesla projected to sell 2.5 million vehicles globally in 2025
- India EV sales forecast: 2 million passenger cars by 2030
- Solid-state batteries to enable 500km range EVs by 2027, sales impact +30%
- Global charging points to grow to 40 million by 2030
- EV sales in emerging markets to triple to 10 million by 2030
- Norway to reach 95% EV share by 2025
- UK ban on new ICE cars by 2035 to drive EV sales to 100%
- EU targets 30 million EVs by 2030
- Global two-wheeler EV sales to 100 million cumulative by 2030
- Fast charger network to 15 million globally by 2030
- EV material demand: lithium 3x by 2030
- Affordable EVs (<$25k) to dominate 60% sales by 2030
Future Projections and Trends Interpretation
While the world's drivers are collectively realizing electric vehicles are no longer just a virtuous niche but an inevitable mainstream, China is already there, Europe is sprinting to catch up, and everyone else is hurriedly looking for a charger and a cheaper battery.
North American Sales Data
- US electric vehicle sales reached 1.18 million units in 2023, a 50% increase from 775,000 in 2022
- In California, EV sales totaled 576,000 units in 2023, representing 25% of new car sales
- US BEV sales were 775,000 in 2023, 66% of total EV sales
- Tesla Model Y was the top-selling EV in the US with 385,900 units sold in 2023
- US EV market share hit 7.6% of total light-duty vehicle sales in 2023, up from 5.8% in 2022
- In 2023, Ford sold 116,000 EVs in the US, a 74% increase YoY
- US PHEV sales reached 404,000 units in 2023, up 36% from 2022
- EV registrations in the US grew to 3.4% of total fleet by end-2023
- In Q4 2023, US EV sales surged 74% YoY to 299,000 units
- Tesla dominated US EV market with 49% share in 2023, selling 654,000 units
- US EV sales in 2022 were 775,000, with BEVs at 562,000
- In Canada, EV sales hit 292,000 units in 2023, 11.7% market share
- GM sold 75,000 EVs in US in 2023, up 53% YoY
- US states with highest EV sales: California 35%, Florida 7%, Texas 6% in 2023
- Rivian delivered 50,122 EVs in US in 2023, exceeding expectations
- US EV sales under IRA incentives grew 40% post-enactment in 2023
- In 2023, Hyundai sold 76,000 EVs in US, led by Ioniq 5 at 46,000
- US EV battery capacity sales equivalent reached 200 GWh in 2023
- Kia EV sales in US: 58,000 units in 2023, up 64% YoY
- US EV sales in Texas grew 78% to 72,000 units in 2023
- Volkswagen sold 46,000 EVs in US in 2023, ID.4 leading at 36,000
- US luxury EV sales share was 25% of total EVs in 2023
- In Q3 2023, US EV sales were 194,000 units, down 5% QoQ but up 48% YoY
- Nissan Leaf sales in US: 25,000 units in 2023, down 10% YoY
- US EV sales forecast for 2024: 1.5 million units
North American Sales Data Interpretation
While Tesla still essentially runs the EV party—grabbing nearly half the sales with the Model Y as its star guest—the whole electrified neighborhood is finally waking up, with sales surging 50% as even traditional automakers like Ford and Hyundai crash the gates, proving the revolution won't be a one-car show, no matter what California thinks.
Worldwide Sales Statistics
- In 2023, global plug-in electric vehicle sales reached 14.2 million units, representing a 35% year-over-year increase from 10.5 million in 2022
- Global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales hit 9.5 million units in 2023, accounting for 67% of total EV sales
- Worldwide plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales totaled 4.7 million units in 2023, up 29% from the previous year
- In 2022, electric car sales worldwide surged to 10.5 million units, a 55% increase from 6.6 million in 2021
- Global EV market share of total car sales reached 18% in 2023, compared to 14% in 2022
- Cumulative global EV sales surpassed 40 million units by the end of 2023
- In Q4 2023, global EV sales grew 20% quarter-over-quarter to 3.8 million units
- Global light-duty EV sales in 2023 were 13.3 million units, excluding two- and three-wheelers
- EV sales in 2023 represented 1 in 5 cars sold globally for the first time
- Worldwide EV sales volume increased by 3.5 million units in 2023 over 2022
- Global EV sales grew 129% from 2019 to 2023, reaching 14 million units
- In 2023, BEV sales worldwide outpaced PHEV by a ratio of 2:1, totaling 9.5 million vs 4.7 million
- Global electric passenger car sales hit 12.8 million in 2023, up from 9.1 million in 2022
- EV adoption globally accelerated with sales doubling every 2.5 years since 2015
- In 2023, global EV sales excluding China were 5.8 million units, a 25% increase
- Worldwide two-wheeler EV sales reached 12 million units in 2023
- Global bus EV sales totaled 660,000 units in 2023, up 25% YoY
- EV sales share in global new car market was 18.5% in Q3 2023
- Cumulative BEV sales globally exceeded 30 million by end-2023
- Global EV sales in 2021 were 6.6 million, jumping 65% from 4 million in 2020
- In 2023, global EV sales grew fastest in emerging markets at 40% YoY
- Worldwide EV stock reached 40 million vehicles by end-2023
- Global PHEV sales share of EVs was 33% in 2023, down from 37% in 2022
- EV sales globally in 2020 dipped to 4 million due to pandemic but rebounded strongly
- In 2023, global sales of electric cars under $30,000 grew 50% YoY
- Worldwide luxury EV sales accounted for 15% of total EV sales in 2023
- Global EV sales penetration hit 10% average across major markets in 2023
- In Q1 2023, global EV sales were 2.3 million units, up 30% YoY
- Global EV sales in 2019 were 2.1 million units, baseline for post-pandemic growth
Worldwide Sales Statistics Interpretation
The electric car revolution isn't just quietly knocking on the door anymore—it's politely but firmly shown itself in, taken a seat on the sofa, and is now helping itself to a full fifth of the global car market's cookies.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 2EV-VOLUMESev-volumes.comVisit source
- Reference 3ABOUTabout.bnef.comVisit source
- Reference 4STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 5CLEANTECHNICAcleantechnica.comVisit source
- Reference 6INSIDEEVSinsideevs.comVisit source
- Reference 7REUTERSreuters.comVisit source
- Reference 8BLOOMBERGbloomberg.comVisit source
- Reference 9MARKLINESmarklines.comVisit source
- Reference 10OURWORLDINDATAourworldindata.orgVisit source
- Reference 11EV-SALESev-sales.blogspot.comVisit source
- Reference 12BAINbain.comVisit source
- Reference 13MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 14COXAUTOINCcoxautoinc.comVisit source
- Reference 15ENERGYenergy.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 16CARANDDRIVERcaranddriver.comVisit source
- Reference 17EDMUNDSedmunds.comVisit source
- Reference 18MEDIAmedia.ford.comVisit source
- Reference 19GREENCARREPORTSgreencarreports.comVisit source
- Reference 20EXPERIANexperian.comVisit source
- Reference 21ELECTREKelectrek.coVisit source
- Reference 22COXAUTOMOTIVEcoxautomotive.comVisit source
- Reference 23NEWSnews.gm.comVisit source
- Reference 24KBBkbb.comVisit source
- Reference 25RIVIANrivian.comVisit source
- Reference 26HYUNDAIhyundai.newsVisit source
- Reference 27BNEFbnef.comVisit source
- Reference 28KIAMEDIAkiamedia.comVisit source
- Reference 29TESLARATIteslarati.comVisit source
- Reference 30VWvw.comVisit source
- Reference 31JATOjato.comVisit source
- Reference 32USAusa.nissannews.comVisit source
- Reference 33ACEAacea.autoVisit source
- Reference 34KBAkba.deVisit source
- Reference 35OFVofv.noVisit source
- Reference 36SMMTsmmt.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 37CCFAccfa.frVisit source
- Reference 38MOBILITYMobility.seVisit source
- Reference 39BOVAGbovag.nlVisit source
- Reference 40UNRAEunrae.itVisit source
- Reference 41ANIACAaniaca.esVisit source
- Reference 42VOLKSWAGEN-NEWSROOMvolkswagen-newsroom.comVisit source
- Reference 43TESLAtesla.comVisit source
- Reference 44BMWGROUPbmwgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 45BILSTATISTIKbilstatistik.dkVisit source
- Reference 46FEVIAfevia.beVisit source
- Reference 47AKak.fiVisit source
- Reference 48ACAPacap.ptVisit source
- Reference 49GROUPgroup.mercedes-benz.comVisit source
- Reference 50AUDI-MEDIACENTERaudi-mediacenter.comVisit source
- Reference 51AUTOVISTA24autovista24.autovistagroup.comVisit source
- Reference 52AIIAaiia.ieVisit source
- Reference 53BYDbyd.comVisit source
- Reference 54CNEVPOSTcnevpost.comVisit source
- Reference 55CARNEWSCHINAcarnewschina.comVisit source
- Reference 56CAAMcaam.org.cnVisit source
- Reference 57GLOBALglobal.geely.comVisit source
- Reference 58CHINAEV100chinaev100.comVisit source
- Reference 59IRir.lixiang.comVisit source
- Reference 60NIOnio.comVisit source
- Reference 61IRir.xiaopeng.comVisit source
- Reference 62GLOBALglobal.zeekr.comVisit source
- Reference 63SIAMsiam.inVisit source
- Reference 64JADAjada.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 65KAICAkaica.or.krVisit source
- Reference 66NBTnbt.go.thVisit source
- Reference 67BLOOMBERGNEFbloombergnef.comVisit source
- Reference 68NITIniti.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 69REGJERINGENregjeringen.noVisit source
- Reference 70GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 71ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 72GOLDMANSACHSgoldmansachs.comVisit source