Tesla is still king when it comes to electric cars in the U.S., but other automakers are quickly gaining ground.
A new report by Cox Automotive shows that Tesla sold more EVs than any other brand in the first quarter of 2025 — a whopping 128,100 units.
That’s more than the next 10 brands combined. But there’s a twist: Tesla’s sales actually dropped by 8.6% compared to last year.
Even though Tesla remains far ahead, competitors like Ford and Chevrolet are picking up the pace. Ford came in second with 22,550 EVs sold, up 11.5% from last year.
Chevy, on the other hand, saw a massive 114% jump, selling 19,186 units — mostly thanks to strong demand for the new Equinox EV.
In total, 296,227 electric vehicles were sold across the U.S. in Q1 2025, according to the report. That’s an 11.4% increase year over year, and EVs now make up about 7.5% of all new cars sold in the country.
Here’s what Valdez Streaty, a Cox Automotive analyst, had to say:
“The year certainly started strong, but the road ahead will be anything but smooth.”
That warning may be tied to ongoing challenges like political tensions and tariff wars, especially under the current Trump administration.
EV Sales Are Rising — But So Is the Competition
While Tesla’s global delivery total hit 336,681 units in Q1, that number is down 13% from last year. Analysts think the drop might be related to Tesla’s ongoing shift to the new Model Y, as buyers wait to get their hands on the refreshed version.
At the same time, other automakers are offering special trade-in deals and promotions to lure Tesla drivers away — especially as Elon Musk faces criticism for his ties to political figures.
Despite these challenges, Tesla continues to lead by a wide margin. But it’s clear the EV space is heating up, and brands like GM, Ford, and even Hyundai and BMW are stepping up their game.
Top-Selling EV Brands in the U.S. (Q1 2025)
- Tesla – 128,100
- Ford – 22,550
- Chevrolet (GM) – 19,186
- BMW – 13,538
- Hyundai – 12,843
- Volkswagen – 9,564
- Honda – 9,561
- Kia – 8,656
- Rivian – 8,553
- Cadillac (GM) – 7,972
- Nissan: 6,471
- Audi: 5,905
- Toyota: 5,610
- Acura: 4,813
- GMC: 4,728
- Porsche: 4,358
- Mercedes: 3,472
- Subaru: 3,131
- Volvo: 2,718
- Jeep: 2,595
- Dodge: 1,947
- Genesis: 1,496
- Lexus: 1,453
- Mini: 696
- Jaguar: 381
- Additional EV models*: 5,390
Note: GM owns Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC; VW owns Audi; Stellantis owns Dodge and Jeep.
