Tesla Model 3: Best-Selling EV in the World, for 4th Consecutive Year

Photo: CleanTechnica

While U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla has already seen the Model 3 land the spot of best-selling EV in 2021 in various countries around the world, the electric sedan has now reportedly topped worldwide charts for sales once again.

The Tesla Model 3 landed 2021’s best-selling plugin vehicle for the fourth straight year, topping the affordable Wuling HongGuang Mini EV and the automaker’s own Model Y, according to data meticulously compiled by José Pontes from Clean Technica. The Model 3’s achievement matches the Nissan Leaf, which won this title four times.

The Model 3 sold 500,713 units in 2021, compared to the GM subsidiary second-place Wuling Mini EV, which sold 424,138 units, and the Model Y which sold 410,517 units worldwide for third place. Clean Technica says the Model Y is poised to take the title from the Model 3 in 2022.

Plugin registrations increased by 108 percent year over year in 2021, representing the industry’s highest yearly growth rate since 2012 when the market jumped from 50,000 units to 123,000 units for a 144 percent surge.

As time goes on, we’re also seeing a major shift from the adoption of plugin hybrid vehicles to battery-electric models.

Fully-electric vehicles increased an impressive 69 percent year over year in 2021, while plugin hybrids saw a jump of just 31 percent — a sign that consumers are shifting into a season of full, zero-emission vehicles.

The move also comes amidst an overall downturn across the auto market, despite EVs holding a record 15 percent market share in December, up from the previous year’s 11 percent.