The electric vehicle market saw dynamic changes in 2025, largely shaped by the cessation of the federal EV tax credit. While the third quarter experienced a surge in purchases driven by anticipation of the credit's expiry, the fourth quarter witnessed a substantial decline in sales for many models. This compilation highlights the ten best-selling electric vehicles of 2025, analyzing their annual performance amidst these market fluctuations. It's important to note that some manufacturers, like Tesla, do not release specific sales figures for individual EV models, in which case industry estimates from sources like Automotive News are utilized.
The Volkswagen ID.4 secured a spot among the top ten, even with a notable 62% sales reduction in the fourth quarter compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, its overall annual sales showed a 31% increase. Following closely, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, despite a strong start, saw its fourth-quarter sales drop by 77% year-over-year, leading to a 2% overall decline for 2025. The Ford F-150 Lightning also faced a difficult end to the year, with a 60% plummet in fourth-quarter sales and a 19% decrease annually. Ford's announcement to cease production of the current Lightning model, with a plug-in hybrid version to follow, signals a strategic shift.
Tesla's Cybertruck experienced an estimated 3% sales dip in 2025. Meanwhile, the Honda Prologue, despite a tough fourth quarter, managed a 19% increase in annual sales. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, too, showed resilience, achieving a 6% sales increase for the year, despite a significant 58% drop in the final quarter. The Ford Mustang Mach-E saw a slight annual decrease following a 40% downturn in fourth-quarter sales. Chevrolet's Equinox EV emerged as a strong performer outside of Tesla, achieving a 100% increase over 2024, although its fourth-quarter performance saw a 72% decline, indicating challenges post-tax credit removal.
Dominating the top spots, Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y continued to lead the market. The Model 3's sales reportedly grew by 18% compared to 2024, showing minimal impact from the regulatory changes. The Model Y, while still the leading EV in the United States and the seventh best-selling vehicle overall, saw an estimated 22% decline compared to 2024, partly attributed to the transition to the refreshed 2026 model and a more pronounced fourth-quarter sales drop than the Model 3.
In summary, 2025 proved to be a pivotal year for the electric vehicle industry, marked by a significant sales slowdown in the final quarter after the federal tax credit was rescinded. While some models like the Volkswagen ID.4, Honda Prologue, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 still managed overall annual growth, others, including the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning, faced year-over-year declines. Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y maintained their strong market positions, though the Model Y experienced a more substantial drop in the fourth quarter. The data underscores the critical role of government incentives in driving EV adoption and highlights the varying resilience of different models in a changing market landscape.
