Chinese Automakers Gain Ground in Global EV Race as Other World Leaders Risk Falling Behind

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New ICCT report reveals China's growing advantage in EV sales as BYD edges past Tesla in global BEV sales for the first time
WASHINGTON, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) today released its third annual Global Automaker Rating, showing that China-based automakers are building significant leads in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market as the country now accounts for over 11 million electric vehicles sold annually – more than half of global EV sales.
Chinese manufacturers occupied the top 5 positions in ZEV class coverage and 5 of 6 top positions for EV sales share, with companies like Geely and SAIC already reaching 50% EV sales share, meeting their 2025 targets a year ahead of schedule.
Among the report's other key findings, BYD exceeded Tesla in global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for the first time in 2024, with a 25% increase in BEV sales and 47% increase in combined BEV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sales compared to 2023. Both companies remain in the "Leaders" category.
"Our assessment revealed widespread improvement in BEV technology performance across the industry," said Zifei Yang, ICCT's Global Passenger Vehicle Lead and principal author. "The vast majority of automakers demonstrated enhancements in energy consumption, charging speed, and driving range. GM and Honda made significant advancements by introducing high-performance models to their previously limited offerings."
In a significant milestone, India-based Tata Motors became the first major automaker to transition from the "laggard" group to the "transitioner" group by introducing new EV models and ramping up battery recycling efforts.
The report also highlights the increasing importance of manufacturing emissions through a newly introduced green steel metric, with automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen scoring well on sustainable procurement efforts.
"Investors increasingly recognize that automakers embracing the EV transition aren't just preparing for regulatory compliance—they're positioning themselves for long-term market leadership," said Michael Kodransky, Senior Director at Ceres.
"As China-based automakers expand globally, other leading global manufacturers face urgent pressure to accelerate their own transitions," said Drew Kodjak, ICCT President and CEO. "For the wider global auto industry, this is no longer just about meeting future goals – it's about remaining competitive today in a market that's charging up."
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SOURCE The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)