Kijiji Autos has published the results of a recent study that analyzed the most searched for electric vehicles over the last 12 months on Google. As of today, 550,000 global searches for the term "electric car" take place each month, which equates to one search approximately every 5 seconds. Read on to see the results of the study and how emerging trends are changing worldwide as the influence of EVs on the global auto industry continues to develop.
The Rise Of Electric Vehicle Nameplates
In Canada alone, 27,100 searches for the term "electric car" are taking place monthly, a 23% increase in the last 12 months. In an analysis of Google search data of 188 countries and 104 electric car makes and models, Tesla remained the dominant EV brand by search activity in 133 countries; the Model 3 was particularly popular. While new EV nameplates are being introduced constantly and consumers are taking notice, for now at least, Tesla remains the global standard for EVs; at the very least, in the minds of EV oriented consumers.
The top five models globally, in order by search activity, were the Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y and Porsche Taycan. The Taycan was the most searched EV in 16 countries in the study. From a continental perspective, Tesla was the top brand by searches in 5/6 continents, with the Polestar 2 being the most searched EV in Oceania.
Newcomers Are Taking Their Seats At The Table
Kijiji Autos points out that while Tesla remains the top player from an EV perspective globally, newer brands and nameplates are growing increasingly competitive and if trends continue, Tesla's dominance may be less prominent. They state:
"Despite the strength of Tesla, Renault Kangoo (10 countries), Nissan Leaf (7 countries), Audi e-tron (5 countries), Skoda Enyaq (4 countries), Mercedes EQS (3 countries), BMW i3 (2 countries) and the Tata Nexon EV (1 country) all appear in the most searched electric vehicles."
Brands like Tesla, Nissan, Renault and Audi have global name recognition and by this point, their efforts in a shift to EVs has become widely known. That doesn't mean, however, that brand-new EV brands aren't gearing up to take their seat at the table. Brand-new brands Rivian, Nio and VinFast are gaining traction quickly and growing tremendously with increases at 50%, 22% and 82% respectively. With Rivian's release of their EV pickup truck to consumers, time will tell how these new brands affect the long-term standings of more established carmakers.