# Global electric vehicle market trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-electric-vehicle-market-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-13T15:29:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

The global electric vehicle (EV) market is characterized by the dominance of Tesla and Chinese manufacturers. In the first half of 2026, approximately 9.4 million pure electric vehicles were sold worldwide. BYD led brand-level sales with 1,590,268 units, followed by Tesla with 836,991 units. The Tesla Model Y was identified as the world’s best-selling electric car.

This market expansion is driving a shift in automotive industry wealth toward Asian conglomerates. While Elon Musk remains the wealthiest figure in the sector, leaders from Xiaomi, BYD, and Geely have emerged with significant fortunes. By 2025, EV sales were projected to surpass 20 million units, representing one-quarter of global production.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-13: Automotive industry wealth shifts toward Asian EV leaders

Wealth in the automotive sector is shifting toward Asian EV leaders and major conglomerates, with Elon Musk remaining the wealthiest individual, followed by key figures from BMW, BYD, and Geely.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/automotive-industry-wealth-shifts-toward-asian-ev-leaders

### 2026-09-04: Tesla and China lead global electric vehicle market

Tesla and Chinese manufacturers like BYD dominate the global EV market in early 2026, while Germany approves 52,500 electric vehicle subsidies totaling 230 million euros.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mercedes-benz-develops-two-speed-transmission-for-electric-cla

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Cite as: Global electric vehicle market trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-electric-vehicle-market-trends