BYD Overtakes Tesla as Global Leader in Electric Vehicle Sales

In 2025, the global electric vehicle market saw a change in leadership as BYD surpassed Tesla in annual battery-electric vehicle sales. This shift reflects changes in sales performance and market dynamics among major electric vehicle manufacturers.

BYD delivered approximately 2.26 million battery-electric vehicles during 2025, exceeding Tesla’s total of around 1.64 million units for the year. This marked the first time BYD led in annual global battery-electric vehicle sales, after previously surpassing Tesla in several quarters.

BYD’s battery-electric vehicle sales grew by about 28% compared to the previous year, contributing to its rise to the top position. In contrast, Tesla’s deliveries declined by roughly 9% year-over-year in 2025, which contributed to the shift in market leadership.

Overall, BYD’s total vehicle sales for 2025, including plug-in hybrids and commercial vehicles, reached approximately 4.55 million units. However, the company’s plug-in hybrid sales decreased by about 8% compared to the prior year, indicating a change in the composition of its vehicle sales.

What the numbers show

• BYD sold about 2.26 million battery-electric vehicles in 2025
• Tesla delivered around 1.64 million battery-electric vehicles in 2025
• BYD’s plug-in hybrid sales fell by 8% year-over-year in 2025
• BYD’s total vehicle sales in 2025 reached about 4.55 million units

Media reports stated that Tesla’s decline in battery-electric vehicle sales during 2025 was linked to the elimination of U.S. federal electric vehicle tax incentives. This policy change was cited as a factor affecting Tesla’s market performance in the United States.

Before achieving annual leadership in 2025, BYD had previously surpassed Tesla in quarterly battery-electric vehicle sales on multiple occasions. This pattern indicated ongoing competition between the two companies in the global electric vehicle sector.

BYD’s performance in 2025 was marked by growth in its battery-electric vehicle segment, while its plug-in hybrid sales experienced a decrease. Tesla, meanwhile, recorded a decline in its overall battery-electric vehicle deliveries for the year.

The developments in 2025 highlighted changes in the global electric vehicle market, with BYD emerging as the new leader in annual battery-electric vehicle sales and Tesla experiencing a reduction in its deliveries compared to the previous year.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.