The electric vehicle (EV) movement is still going strong. With almost two times as many Americans purchasing EVs in the first quarter of 2022 as in the first quarter of 2021, according to Kelley Blue Book, EVs are gaining more ground, faster than ever before. More than five percent of total car sales are now EVs for the first time in history.
Those numbers are just anticipated to continue to rise in coming years as more EVs are developed, and more people jump onboard with savings over gasoline costs, concerns over climate change, and the appeal of updated technology enticing them to go electric.
The best-selling EVs of 2022 so far include some of the most technologically forward vehicles, the biggest names, and best values. Tesla, of course, kept their lead as the EV market leader this year with a huge chunk of EV sales, however, some other makers aren’t far behind and EVs from Hyundai Motor Group, Ford, Nissan, and Volkswagen also made the top ten list while many more will join the competition later in the year.
Let’s take a closer look at the best-selling EVs of 2022, so far!
The Top Contenders From Tesla And Hyundai Motor Group
According to registration and sales records, Tesla is still dominating the EV market with around 75% of EVs sold between January and March being Tesla models and the Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan making up around 68% of the EV market on their own. Those models represent the top two best-selling EVs in 2022 so far.
In total, Tesla sold over 113,000 vehicles in quarter one of 2022. The runners-up from Hyundai Motor Group (which includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Kia Nira EV) trailed those sales. Kia racked up 8,450 and Hyundai sold 6,964 units (with an astounding 6,265 of those being the Ioniq 5).
Tesla’s Model Y SUV, the number one seller in EVs in 2022 so far, has excellent range with a maximum of 330 miles. Starting at an MSRP of $64,990 and going up to a cost of $80,000 for the fully loaded Performance model according to Kelley Blue Book, the Model Y offers a lot of bang for the buck with quick acceleration, high top speeds, and the availability of an optional third row of seats in some models.
The Model 3 sedan costs $48,190 for the base iteration according to Edmunds and is one of the highest rated EVs on the market currently. The range is advertised between 315 and 358 miles per charge (depending on trim). The sleek look, comfortable interior, and strong performance alongside the Tesla brand make it an obvious choice for those in the market for an EV.
Of the EVs offered through branches of Hyundai Motor Group, the best-selling has been the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The compact crossover has a ton of style and a lot of desirable features. Starting at just $39,950 and going up to $52,395, according to Edmunds, the Ioniq 5 offers a range up to 303 miles on a charge and is technology rich. It is also innovatively designed with eco-friendly materials in the interior and offers ample cargo and passenger room.
The Runners-Up From Ford, Nissan, and Volkswagen
Catching up quickly to the competition, Ford reached sales of 7,407 EV units in the first quarter and, of those, 6,957 were the Mustang Mach-E. Offering a taste of the speed that the Mustang name is known for, the Mach-E is also available in a “GT” trim as of 2022. Pumping out an impressive 480 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft of torque, the Mach-E costs at least $43,995, but can go up to $67,995 for the GT Performance iteration.
Nissan’s LEAF is next on the top-sellers of 2022 with 4,401 sold in quarter one. Although rated lower overall compared to offerings from the other manufacturers on our EV best-sellers list, the LEAF beats them out in affordability. Starting at just $28,895, the car appeals to budget-conscious buyers and their strategy of offering something small and comfortable has seemingly paid off. Although offering just 200 miles of range, the LEAF does offer many of the same technologies as the bigger, more expensive models out there.
Volkswagen’s ID.4 rounds out the top list with 2,926 units sold in the first quarter of 2022. Volkswagen began focusing on the EV market with their “ID” line and the ID.4 is one of their more recent offerings (since 2020). Named “World Car of the Year” and one of the “10 Best User Experiences” by Wards, the compact crossover SUV offers up to 280 miles per charge and has more than enough appeal for its $42,435 beginning price point.
Overall, Tesla and offerings from Hyundai Motor Group have taken the lead as the best-sellers of 2022 so far, but Ford, Nissan, and Volkswagen aren’t far behind. Additionally, with plans to expand electrification production efforts from many big names and the introduction of some new models coming later in the year, it is still possible to see competition become closer in the second half of 2022 and especially likely in coming years.