The hotly contested race for China's top-selling electric vehicle reveals some surprising shifts—and the story is far from over. But here's where it gets controversial: are local brands truly dominating, or is there more complexity beneath the surface? Dive in to discover how the electric vehicle landscape in China is evolving and why some models are flying off the shelves while others struggle to keep up.
While the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV was crowned China's best-selling electric car in previous years, it didn't retain that title last year. Still, its popularity hasn't faded away; in fact, in 2025, it claimed the second spot, trailing only the Geely Galaxy Xingyue and surpassing the globally renowned Tesla Model Y.
The reigning champion among New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)—which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)—is an affordable and practical model: the Geely Galaxy Xingyue. This compact SUV is accessible, starting at approximately 68,800 yuan, roughly equivalent to 8,500 euros, and is offered with two different battery configurations.
The base version of the Xingyue offers a travel range of about 310 kilometers according to China's CLTC test standard, making it suitable for most daily commutes and errands. Meanwhile, the larger battery variant extends that range to around 410 kilometers in the Chinese test cycle, with prices beginning at roughly 81,800 yuan or about 10,100 euros. Previously, this vehicle was marketed under Geely's Geometry brand, but after the Geometry subsidiary was internally merged with Geely's premium Galaxy label, the model is now officially named the Geely Galaxy Xingyue.
Understanding its success is straightforward—by 2025, the Xingyue had sold an impressive 465,775 units within China, frequently leading monthly sales charts throughout the year. Its popularity is not unexpected given these figures. Close behind is the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, which sold approximately 435,599 units, securing second place despite its slightly declining trend.
Completing the top three is Tesla's Model Y, with 425,337 units sold in China—highlighting its dominance among foreign brands. Interestingly, despite being classified as a foreign brand, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 are produced locally in Shanghai, at Tesla’s Giga Shanghai factory, which blurs the lines of import status in China's market. The Model 3 also performed well, with 200,361 units sold, ranking ninth overall.
It's notable that the Model Y and Model 3 are the sole representatives from foreign automakers among the top 20 best-sellers, emphasizing the overwhelming strength of Chinese brands in the domestic EV marketplace. Of the remaining 18 models, all are produced by Chinese companies, with BYD leading the charge—holding nine positions within the top 20.
However, interestingly, none of BYD’s models make it into the top three. This is largely due to the company’s diverse and extensive product lineup. BYD tends to offer many similar models under different series, such as the 'Dynasty' and 'Ocean' lines, designed to target specific customer segments. These closely related vehicles sometimes count as separate models in sales figures, which can create a seemingly fragmented picture. Furthermore, BYD distinguishes itself by offering both fully electric models and plug-in hybrid versions, broadening its appeal.
For instance, BYD’s Qin Plus, a popular BEV, sold over 387,000 units, ranking fourth, while the Qin L took sixth place with just over 264,000. The BYD Song Plus and Song Pro models placed tenth and twelfth respectively, with sales figures of 200,276 and 180,661 units, showing that even their similar models coexist quite comfortably in the rankings.
But the story isn’t just about traditional automakers—emerging NEV startups are also making waves and significantly increasing their market share. Xiaomi’s entry into the EV market is a prime example: the Xiaomi SU7 ranked seventh overall with an impressive 258,164 units sold in its first full year, and the Xiaomi SUV YU7 debuted directly at 18th place with 153,673 units.
Other notable newcomers include Xpeng, with its Mona M03 compact in 13th place at 175,345 units, Li Auto’s L6 in 14th with 166,516 units, and the Aito M8 at 19th place with 150,420 units. These figures highlight how rapidly and fiercely competition is heating up—more challengers are entering the market, giving consumers a broader range of choices.
In conclusion, China's EV market in 2025 is a fascinating arena where local brands continue to rise, winning over consumers with affordability and variety, while foreign competitors like Tesla maintain a strong presence through local manufacturing. The rapid growth of startups further shakes up the scene, promising a future full of new ideas and fierce competition. Whether these trends will lead to greater innovation or intense rivalry—and what it all means for consumers and traditional automakers alike—are questions worth pondering.
Do you think Chinese brands have what it takes to challenge foreign automakers more aggressively in the future? Or will global giants like Tesla continue to hold sway? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.
