Electric car statistics: Market share and sales

How big will the EV industry be in 2030?

With increasing concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, the electric vehicle industry is booming as people look to travel more sustainably. People are increasingly choosing electric cars and even backing the industry by using trading platforms to invest in companies like Tesla.

We look at the latest statistics for the electric vehicle industry, including current and forecast sales, market share and the number of charging stations.

Quick overview

  • 1 in 7 (14%) new cars sold globally were electric in 2022.
  • Globally, it is expected that 36% of all new car sales will be electric by 2030.
  • Global EV sales are forecast to reach 36.9 million in 2030.
  • Almost a quarter (23%) of new cars sold in the UK were electric in 2022.
  • Brits were 64% more likely to buy an EV than the global average in 2022.
  • As of June 2023, there are over 1.3 million electric and hybrid cars on UK roads.
  • Global EV sales are forecast to reach 14 million in 2023, up 37% from 2022.
  • Global EV sales are forecast to reach 36.9 million by 2030, up 1140% from 2020.
  • Tesla Model Y was the most popular EV in 2022, with 771,300 sales globally.
  • BYD Auto has overtaken Tesla to have the biggest EV market share in 2023.

Global electric vehicle sales

Global EV sales are forecast to reach 14 million in 2023, up 37% from 10.2 million sales in 2022. The number of EVs sold in the UK grew steadily between 2013 and 2020 and then more rapidly between 2020 and 2022.

Made with Flourish
Year EV sales (global)
2013 201000
2014 330000
2015 550000
2016 750000
2017 1180000
2018 2050000
2019 2080000
2020 2970000
2021 6500000
2022 10200000
2023* 14000000

How many electric cars are sold in the UK?

In 2022, 370,000 electric cars were sold in the UK, an increase of 19% from 2021. This is also 100 times more than the number of electric cars sold in 2013, when just 3,700 electric cars were sold.

Year EV sales (UK)
2013 3700
2014 14500
2015 29000
2016 39000
2017 49000
2018 62000
2019 75000
2020 178000
2021 310000
2022 370000

How many electric cars are on UK roads?

As of June 2023, there are over 1.3 million electric cars on UK roads, up from almost 84,867 in 2016, which is an increase of almost 1500%. The number of fully electric cars on UK roads (816,668) is now higher than the number of hybrid electric cars (511,921).

Year Battery electric vehicles Hybrid electric vehicles Total
2016 30,699 54,168 84,867
2017 44,266 87,705 131,971
2018 59,740 131,976 191,716
2019 97,565 166,921 264,486
2020 205,770 233,798 439,568
2021 396,497 348,352 744,849
2022 663,700 449,766 1,113,466
2023 816,668 511,921 1,328,589

EV sales forecast

Demand for electric cars is expected to continue growing worldwide after 2023 and is forecast to reach a total of 36.9 million sales globally by 2030. If achieved, this would be an increase of 1140% from 10 years prior in 2020.

Year Total EV sales in millions (units)
2020 2970000
2025* 20500000
2030* 36900000

What percentage of new car sales are electric?

Globally, electric cars accounted for 14% of new car sales in 2022, up from 8.7% in 2021. Projections suggest that, by 2030, electric cars will account for 36% of car sales. In the UK, electric car sales accounted for 23% of new car sales in 2022, 9% higher than the global average of 14%.

The big uptake in UK residents purchasing electric cars is most likely due to the ban on new ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles that is now coming into place in 2030. This ban will stop the sale of any new cars that rely solely on fossil fuels to run, encouraging more people to choose electric cars.

Year EV sales as percentage share (UK) EV sales as percentage share (World)
2013 0.17% 0.27%
2014 0.60% 0.43%
2015 1.10% 0.70%
2016 1.40% 0.89%
2017 1.90% 1.40%
2018 2.60% 2.30%
2019 3.20% 2.60%
2020 11.00% 4.20%
2021 19.00% 8.70%
2022 23.00% 14.00%

How many cars will be EVs in the future?

Globally, 36% of all new car sales are expected to be electric by 2030. By 2025, projections suggest that 23% of new cars sold will be EVs.

Year Other car sales as a percentage share EV sales as percentage share (global)
2020 95.80% 4.20%
2025* 77% 23%
2030* 64% 36%

2030 predicted EV market share by region

Projections suggest that China will still lead the way in the EV market in 2030, with a market share of 40%. The US is expected to double its current market share to reach 20% by the end of the decade, while Europe is expected to maintain its current 25% share. The other smaller markets will make up the remaining 15% by 2030.

Region Percentage
China 40%
Europe 25%
United States 20%
Other 15%

EV market share by company

In 2023, the Chinese company BYD Auto has the largest market share with 21%. They are followed by Tesla with 16% and Volkswagen with 7% of the market share, although other manufacturers still account for 56% of sales in 2023.

Globally, the bestselling electric car in 2022 was the Tesla Model Y, which had roughly 771,300 sales worldwide. This was followed by the BYD Song Plus, the Tesla Model 3, the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV and the BYD Qin Plus.

Model Number of units sold in 2022
1. Tesla Model Y 771,300
2. BYD Song Plus 477,090
3. Tesla Model 3 476,340
4. Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV 424,030
5. BYD Qin Plus 315,240

The most popular electric car in the UK in 2022 was also the Tesla Model Y, which sold over 35,000 units. This was followed by the Tesla Model 3, which sold 19,071 units, and the Kia e-Niro, which sold 11,197 units.

Model Number of units sold in 2022
1. Tesla Model Y 35,551
2. Tesla Model 3 19,071
3. Kia e-Niro 11,197
4. Volkswagen ID.3 9,832
5. Nissan Leaf 9,178

How do consumers feel about electric cars in 2023?

Many consumers are new to electric cards, and according to a survey, 42% of respondents purchased their EVs within the last year and over 67% within the last 2 years.

The increasing number of charge points across Europe has also increased people’s confidence in electric vehicles as they can charge their cars more regularly. The graph below shows the change in people’s concerns over charging between 2022 and 2023.

Response 2022 2023
I don’t need to charge on a daily basis 21% 47%
I charge my EV as soon as I get home 28% 23%
I charge my EV at a later time 10% 13%

However, many drivers in Europe still don’t have access to a private charging point in their homes, which demonstrates the increasing need for governments to roll out EV charging stations as quickly as possible. This will allow more people to drive with confidence and encourage more drivers to choose an EV for their next car!

Charge point used Percentage
Private home charge point 56
Public access charge point 16
Standard plug socket 15
Unable to charge at home 7
Private communal charge point 3

Sources used

  • International Energy Agency
  • GOV UK
  • Shell EV Driver Survey Report 2023
  • SMMT
  • Driving Electric
  • Statista
  • Counterpoint Research

All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.


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matt.mckenna@finder.com@MichHutchison/in/matthewmckenna2
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Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio

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