BYD sold 2.2 million EVs worldwide in 2025, topping Tesla's 1.6 million

[Skye Jacobs]

Bottom line: Tesla's grip on the electric vehicle market loosened in 2025 as Chinese automaker BYD overtook it in global sales, signaling a shift in the industry's most closely watched rivalry. BYD sold 2.25 million battery-electric vehicles last year, a 28 percent increase from 2024, while Tesla reported global deliveries of 1.64 million, marking its second consecutive annual decline.

The reversal follows months of narrowing margins between the two companies. Throughout 2025, BYD repeatedly outsold Tesla in European markets, even as it faced import tariffs and ongoing US government restrictions that have kept the Shenzhen-based automaker out of the American consumer market.

Tesla's 16 percent year-over-year decline in fourth-quarter deliveries underscores the depth of its slowdown. Analysts say the company is grappling with a mix of regulatory, reputational, and product-related challenges that have eroded its earlier dominance.

Updates to Tesla's lineup in 2025 did little to revive demand. A mild refresh of the Model Y failed to generate excitement, while the Cybertruck continued to struggle, with reports suggesting fewer than 50,000 units sold since its late-2024 launch. Even SpaceX reportedly purchased "tens of millions of dollars' worth of Cybertrucks" to support Tesla's balance sheet.

The loss of a $7,500 federal tax credit at the end of September further weakened Tesla's sales momentum in the US. The fourth quarter closed with 418,227 deliveries, missing already reduced analyst expectations of 440,000.

As vehicle sales falter, CEO Elon Musk has increasingly shifted focus toward automation and robotics. Tesla is investing heavily in its driverless robotaxi platform, which launched on a limited basis in Austin last June, as well as in the Optimus humanoid robot – a project Musk claims could reshape household and industrial labor.

The robotaxi pilot initially operated with safety monitors inside vehicles before transitioning to fully unmanned testing. Tesla plans to expand the service to multiple US cities in 2026, though it remains well behind Alphabet-owned Waymo, which has years of operational experience and a broader customer base.

In 2026, Tesla also expects to begin production of its AI-powered Cybercab – a steering-wheel-free, pedal-less vehicle that Musk describes as a cornerstone of the company's autonomous future.

While Tesla refocuses, BYD's expansion continues at pace. The company sold more than 4.6 million new energy vehicles – its umbrella term for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models – last year, including over a million exports. Passenger exports alone jumped 145 percent compared with 2024.

Europe and Latin America have become central to BYD's international push. In the UK, its largest market outside China, sales rose 880 percent, albeit from a relatively small base. In September, the company showcased its 3,000-horsepower Yangwang U9 Xtreme, demonstrating the engineering prowess behind its ambitions: the electric hypercar reached a record-setting 308.4 mph at Germany's Papenburg test track, making it the fastest production vehicle – electric or combustion-powered – ever recorded.

Despite these milestones, BYD's 2025 growth represented its slowest pace in five years, reflecting intensifying competition within China's domestic EV market. Still, its steady global expansion and rapid product development have positioned BYD as a defining manufacturer in the post-Tesla EV era.

Permalink to story:

BYD sold 2.2 million EVs worldwide in 2025, topping Tesla's 1.6 million

 

[bviktor]

But but I thought "the world cools on EVs", because the US is the center of the Earth, and really, of the whole universe, something something.

BYD's 2025 growth represented its slowest pace in five years

Yes, it is called the base effect, apparently this term will also need 5 years of constant explanation, like inflation needed until people could finally grasp the concept (at least most of them, that is).

It's much easier to grow 50% from 500k sales than from 5 millions.

Can't blame anyone though, the engineer genius Musk couldn't understand this fact either, and promised 50% growth for 10 years straight, until reaching 20m sales annually, I.e. twice that of Toyota.

Somewhere along the line he and his zealots conveniently forgot this promise, of course, and moved on to other pipe dreams, like the massive hit Cybertruck, FSD promised for the 10th year straigth, robotaxy, (remote controlled) robots, a Grok that's not mistaken 90% of the time, and so on.

 

[seeprime]

Unfortunately, Chinese cars are still "not allowed" in the US. It's pure protectionism and nothing else. US made EVs are too expensive for most people.

 

[SRB]

Unfortunately, Chinese cars are still "not allowed" in the US. It's pure protectionism and nothing else. US made EVs are too expensive for most people.

Along with the "base effect" mentioned about statistics, the other thing people don't understand is that China is a ruthless communist power that looks ouf for themselves and only themselves by ANY means necessary. The total lack of ANY protection from their methods by western nations until recently has allowed China to become a global power. Pick any critical domestic need that we can no longer produce, and it will be because CEO's, the stock market, and the buying public have come together to create the biggest obstacle to self sufficiency that we have ever seen. Put that with the aforementioned Chinese desire for domination, and you have our current situation.

Name a market or good, and we've watched the same thing happen. China defines a market, enters that market, and begins dumping goods at prices FAR below cost to manufacture (Often with copied/stolen plans and or technology). Our companies decide it's cheaper to build in China or rebrand Chinese items for sale in the U.S. Within a short period of time, they control that market and move on to the next one.

Pharmaceuticals, steel, plastics, cloth/clothing, shoes, calculators, etc. You name it' they will steel the market, not through competition, but though IP theft and dumping. We're just now starting to change direction, but it may be too little, too late, to stop China in there quest for domination.

Does anyone think China really wants control of a tiny island nation (Taiwan), or, like Hong Kong, they want their industrial secrets and financial/technical assets, especially chipmaking and related fields. Their attitude is they will have it, or deny the west it's products. Taiwan is in the way of their 100 year plan. With our "6 week" outlook on ourselves, someday, we'll be a satellite of China.

Please note, no other country does this to the degree China does, but the rest of the west, for the most part, respects IP and patent laws.

 

[Kirby1]

Why is this site so obsessed with Tesla? I don't think anyone comes here for news about the EV market.

 

[Homerlovesbeer]

Why is this site so obsessed with Tesla? I don't think anyone comes here for news about the EV market.

The hate is strong on this site.....feeds the delusional.

 

[SRB]

The hate is strong on this site.....feeds the delusional.

You have a point, but in fairness to the other commenter, It's pretty bad when I can read more information and analysis on EV's then I could get from the Automotive News trade paper. The disadvantage is that is is all one sided.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Racism is expensive.

Ask Europe why they choose China's EV over Musk's.

 

[Mister_K]

The hate is strong on this site.....feeds the delusional.

Hate for Musk is quite just tho. That madman is delusion its self.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Hate for Musk is quite just tho. That madman is delusion its self.

Those who agree with Musk and his racism are basically bots online challenging everyone who disagrees with him. I ignore them. Not gonna' waste time arguing with them. In America, we coddle racists. In Europe: they still teach history and are absolutely intolerant of anything that even smells racist or fascist.

 

[p51d007]

Unfortunately, Chinese cars are still "not allowed" in the US. It's pure protectionism and nothing else. US made EVs are too expensive for most people.

No, it's because their vehicle would NEVER meet the safety standards of the USA.

 

[toooooot]

There was an article somewhere. A Techsite or paper compared batteries for Teslas from China and EU or US.
According to their tests, Chinese batteries last a lot less.
It is good that BYD can sell so many cars, especially if they only use one source for batteries and mark them.
My curiosity is regarding 10 year batteries and their prospects toward the next 4-5 years.
Where will 10 yo BYD go, to someone who can keep driving them or a massive EV graveyard?

 

[RudyBob]

I have a gasoline powered car. Easy to fill and cheap to run

 

[toooooot]

Unfortunately, Chinese cars are still "not allowed" in the US. It's pure protectionism and nothing else. US made EVs are too expensive for most people.

When/if China defeats every Western EV maker, they will cost sky high. Plus, they are allowed I believe, with a 100% tariffs.
China does not want to trade. It want's to defeat rivals and then control global market. Have you heard of REE? First they worked hard to bring most of the production home. Then they began to use it for political negotiations.
Imagine how much power a country would have if it is the sole, fine not sole, 90% of EV maker. This is immense power. And they can do it since CCP literally pours gold into promising industries.

As much as I want a cheap EVs,(even less reliable), I do not want China to be the leader of this market. Their EVs are just another tool to dictate what CCP desires.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

It's easier to sell EVs with subsidies from the government lowering the cost. (China does it too)

 

[Kashim]

Asdf

 

[Porkous]

There was an article somewhere. A Techsite or paper compared batteries for Teslas from China and EU or US.

Where is the source ? BYD actually makes one of the most advanced batteries around.

"BYD primarily uses its innovative Blade Battery, a type of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery known for its exceptional safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness, replacing cobalt and integrating cells into a "blade" structure for better space utilization and structural strength in their EVs, notes www.snows.co.uk, BYD Ireland, and BYD. This design allows for higher energy density and improved performance compared to traditional LFP packs, making it a core technology for their electric vehicles, including models like the ATTO 3, HAN, and TANG, as detailed by batteryswapstation.com and BYD.
Key Features of the BYD Blade Battery:
Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) - cobalt-free, enhancing safety and sustainability.
Design: Long, flat "blade" cells packed tightly, forming a rigid, sandwich-like structure with the vehicle floor (Cell-to-Pack/Body - CTP/CTB).
Safety: Highly stable, resists heat, and passed extreme tests (nail penetration, crushing, oven heating) without fire or explosion, according to BYD and batteryswapstation.com.
Performance: High space utilization (up to 50% more efficient) boosts energy density, offering extended range and efficiency, explained in batteryswapstation.com and BYD.
Longevity: Designed for a long life, with millions of road miles tested and an 8-year warranty standard, notes www.snows.co.uk. "

 

[dangh]

Along with the "base effect" mentioned about statistics, the other thing people don't understand is that China is a ruthless communist power that looks ouf for themselves and only themselves by ANY means necessary.

yeah, what a crazy country, what else would they do, kidnap a president of an independent nation to get their oil reserves (already did similar once in the area so why not again)? Try to annex an island belonged to a allied nation surely not for resources? Or maybe china will try to just to annex a neighboring ally nation because ... why not?
Those crazy chinese, how dare they.......

 

[wiyosaya]

Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) - cobalt-free, enhancing safety and sustainability.
Design: Long, flat "blade" cells packed tightly, forming a rigid, sandwich-like structure with the vehicle floor (Cell-to-Pack/Body - CTP/CTB).
Safety: Highly stable, resists heat, and passed extreme tests (nail penetration, crushing, oven heating) without fire or explosion, according to BYD and batteryswapstation.com.
Performance: High space utilization (up to 50% more efficient) boosts energy density, offering extended range and efficiency, explained in batteryswapstation.com and BYD.
Longevity: Designed for a long life, with millions of road miles tested and an 8-year warranty standard, notes www.snows.co.uk. "

I'm sure this is a big part of the reason that BYD is outselling Tesla globally.

IMO, its likely that the Chinese Government is or has contributed to research on this type of battery technology unlike the US, ATM, which has declared that EVs are Evil and need to be exorcised.

Then again, maybe if Musk had his head in daylight, he would have reinvested in his company and placed the highest priority on battery research rather than leaving battery research totally up to Panasonic. a $1T pay package for a racist dolt.

Those who agree with Musk and his racism are basically bots online challenging everyone who disagrees with him. I ignore them. Not gonna' waste time arguing with them. In America, we coddle racists - in the name of "FREE SPEECH". In Europe: they still teach history and are absolutely intolerant of anything that even smells racist or fascist.

FTFY.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana.

 

[netman]

"The Tesla era is fading as BYD takes the lead"

Not Fading... Rather Faded...!

 

[toooooot]

Where is the source ? BYD actually makes one of the most advanced batteries around.


Longevity: Designed for a long life, with millions of road miles tested and an 8-year warranty standard, notes www.snows.co.uk. "

Idk the source, I read too much to keep track.

8 year warranty? That is what I always question about EVs and specifically Chinese EVs. Show me how many of these will keep driving on the original battery after 10-13 years. I have watched a video recently. CCP banned old gen tiny electric scooters because they explode too often causing home fires. I saw huge piles of them, getting ready for recycling. Hard to not doubt Chinese EV batteries watching that scene.

And again, main Chinese ability (beside theft encouraged by CCP) is producing stuff in massive quantities. It makes it really cheap. But it does not even complete the picture. Imagine how cheap Teslas could be if US government poured 30 billion dollars. Let's say each EV was 25% cheaper with government money, plus another 5k bonus.
China is literally buying its way into the global market by mass subsidizing everything they see promising. That is not hard. That is not hard to be BYD, a company that in many ways like Huawei is swimming in government cash.

 

[J Oelschl]

There was a post that claimed BYD and other EV manufacturers in China are perpetrating a massive fraud by employing a Evergrande-like accounting scheme. Sales numbers are inflated. The cars are "registered" and marked as sold yet remain on sales lots. Then someone buys this "new" used car and there are consequences regarding warranty and resale value. I wonder how many sales are "real" versus accounting trick. The source said sales numbers inflated - subsidies collected from govt - stock price rises because of expanding sales - rinse - repeat. The claim is there are "seas" of new "sold" cars sitting in parking lots and the scheme is ready to collapse just like Evergrande real-estate did. I dont know how true it is but....of note.... Warren Buffet quietly sold off his entire BYD stake back in March of 2025 and it was only reported in September.

 

[toooooot]

There was a post that claimed BYD and other EV manufacturers in China are perpetrating a massive fraud by employing a Evergrande-like accounting scheme. Sales numbers are inflated. The cars are "registered" and marked as sold yet remain on sales lots. Then someone buys this "new" used car and there are consequences regarding warranty and resale value. I wonder how many sales are "real" versus accounting trick. The source said sales numbers inflated - subsidies collected from govt - stock price rises because of expanding sales - rinse - repeat. The claim is there are "seas" of new "sold" cars sitting in parking lots and the scheme is ready to collapse just like Evergrande real-estate did. I dont know how true it is but....of note.... Warren Buffet quietly sold off his entire BYD stake back in March of 2025 and it was only reported in September.

I definitely saw parking lots filled with those in China.

 

[BobHome]

Along with the "base effect" mentioned about statistics, the other thing people don't understand is that China is a ruthless communist power that looks ouf for themselves and only themselves by ANY means necessary. The total lack of ANY protection from their methods by western nations until recently has allowed China to become a global power. Pick any critical domestic need that we can no longer produce, and it will be because CEO's, the stock market, and the buying public have come together to create the biggest obstacle to self sufficiency that we have ever seen. Put that with the aforementioned Chinese desire for domination, and you have our current situation.

Name a market or good, and we've watched the same thing happen. China defines a market, enters that market, and begins dumping goods at prices FAR below cost to manufacture (Often with copied/stolen plans and or technology). Our companies decide it's cheaper to build in China or rebrand Chinese items for sale in the U.S. Within a short period of time, they control that market and move on to the next one.

Pharmaceuticals, steel, plastics, cloth/clothing, shoes, calculators, etc. You name it' they will steel the market, not through competition, but though IP theft and dumping. We're just now starting to change direction, but it may be too little, too late, to stop China in there quest for domination.

Does anyone think China really wants control of a tiny island nation (Taiwan), or, like Hong Kong, they want their industrial secrets and financial/technical assets, especially chipmaking and related fields. Their attitude is they will have it, or deny the west it's products. Taiwan is in the way of their 100 year plan. With our "6 week" outlook on ourselves, someday, we'll be a satellite of China.

Please note, no other country does this to the degree China does, but the rest of the west, for the most part, respects IP and patent laws.

So I guess US manufacturers should never have moved their manufacturing to China?

 

[GrayDragon]

Those who agree with Musk and his racism are basically bots online challenging everyone who disagrees with him. I ignore them. Not gonna' waste time arguing with them. In America, we coddle racists. In Europe: they still teach history and are absolutely intolerant of anything that even smells racist or fascist.

It's not the permission that is the problem, it's the open acceptance of it by the leaders in Trump's world. That makes it easy for racists to come out into the open. If you suppress it, it just breeds quietly. Europe isn't immune to racism, but trying to stomp it out isn't the answer either. It takes education and attention to one's own thinking which can be hard to sustain when people like Trump openly accept it as OK. Racism, IMO, starts with people separating from each other by traits such as race, income, job status, etc. and then as you are ignorant of those not like you, then you begin to suspect them of inferiority. After all, if they were equal to you, they wouldn't get separated from your group.