According to The Guardian, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has overtaken Tesla to become the world’s largest seller of fully electric cars. The report states that BYD sold around 2.26 million battery electric vehicles in 2025, compared with 1.63 million deliveries by Tesla, marking a major shift in the global EV market.
The article explains that Tesla’s slowdown came during a period of political change in the United States, with EV incentives being reduced under President Donald Trump, which analysts say has affected demand. Despite this, Tesla — led by Elon Musk — remains the world’s most valuable carmaker, as investors continue to back its ambitions in software, autonomy and robotaxi technology.
BYD’s rise has been driven by its ability to control much of its supply chain, having started out as a battery manufacturer before expanding into full vehicle production. The Guardian notes that BYD also sells plug-in hybrids and achieved total vehicle sales of around 4.55 million units in 2025, strengthening its position as a dominant global player.
DM Commentary
From a taxi and private hire point of view, this is a big moment. BYD overtaking Tesla shows how quickly the EV market is evolving, and competition at this level usually works in favour of drivers. More manufacturers fighting for the top spot can mean lower vehicle prices, better warranties and more choice for fleets.
Tesla slowing down also highlights how dependent EV uptake is on government policy and incentives. For UK drivers and operators, it’s a reminder not to rely on one brand alone — the next popular taxi EV may well come from a different manufacturer altogether.
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