The Most Popular Electric Cars in the U.S.—Excluding Tesla

The U.S. electric vehicle market had a challenging year in 2025, but it also revealed a clear shift: more buyers are seriously considering EVs outside the Tesla ecosystem. While Elon Musk’s brand remains the market leader, its share has begun to slowly erode.

The expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in the fall of 2025 did not trigger a market collapse. Although the fourth quarter was soft, full-year EV sales in the U.S. declined by just 2%. That modest drop suggests demand has matured and is becoming less dependent on government incentives.

Which EVs Americans chose instead of Tesla

According to Cox Automotive, these were the best-selling non-Tesla electric vehicles in the U.S. in 2025:

1. Chevrolet Equinox EV — 57,945 units
This affordable electric crossover became the top-selling non-Tesla EV. With a starting price of around $36,795 and an estimated range of more than 314 miles, it won over buyers with its balance of practicality and value. Sales nearly doubled compared with 2024.

2. Ford Mustang Mach-E — 51,620 units
The Mach-E continues to enjoy strong demand. Sales were essentially flat, slipping just 0.2%, a sign that the model has firmly established itself as one of the most popular electric crossovers in the U.S.

3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 — 47,039 units
Despite weaker results in the fourth quarter, the Ioniq 5 held consumer interest. Overall sales rose 5.9% year over year—an impressive result given the broader slowdown in the EV market.

4. Honda Prologue — 39,194 units
The Prologue was one of the year’s surprises. Built on GM’s Ultium platform, Honda’s electric SUV posted an 18.7% sales increase. It stands out as one of the few successful launches of a new mainstream EV and even outperformed its Acura-branded counterparts.

5. Ford F-150 Lightning — 27,307 units
Despite production changes, the electric F-150 remained the top EV pickup on the market. Its performance shows there is still real demand for electric trucks among U.S. buyers.

6. Rivian R1S — 24,852 units
Even as Rivian faced slowing demand overall, the R1S secured a spot in the top 10 thanks to its SUV format and off-road-focused appeal.

7. Chevrolet Blazer EV — 22,637 units
The Blazer EV trails the Equinox EV but remains an important part of Chevrolet’s electric lineup, offering a well-rounded package and strong brand recognition.

8. Volkswagen ID.4 — 22,373 units
Now five years into its lifecycle, the ID.4 posted solid growth of 31.4%. A refreshed version expected in 2026 should help VW build on that momentum.

9. Cadillac Lyriq — 20,971 units
The Lyriq stayed in the top tier despite softer demand. Cadillac’s luxury electric crossover still appeals to buyers looking for a premium EV experience.

10. BMW i4 — 20,114 units
The i4 remains BMW’s best-selling EV in the U.S., even though sales declined. Upcoming BMW electric models could help revive interest in the brand in 2026.

What’s happening with Tesla

Tesla still dominates the market. The Model Y alone sells more units than all ten of the top non-Tesla EVs combined. That said, the brand recorded a 7% sales decline in 2025—a notable signal for the industry. Competition is intensifying, Tesla’s lineup is aging, and alternatives are becoming more varied and affordable.

The U.S. EV market is entering a more balanced phase. Tesla remains the clear leader, but consumers are increasingly shopping around, prioritizing price, design, and everyday usability. For the industry as a whole, that’s a healthy shift—one that should make the EV segment more competitive and resilient in the years ahead.