Peter Lyon
February 6, 2023
- Tesla’s Model Y was the top-selling EV in the U.S. in 2022
- American-made EVs captured the top 6 spots
- Ford is the 2nd biggest EV seller in the U.S. after Tesla
It’s official. The six best-selling electric vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 were all American-made. Tesla excelled, of course, accounting for 65% of total EV sales. Not much of a surprise there. Meanwhile, Korean EVs from Hyundai and Kia sold strongly to capture the 7th and 8th rankings while the VW ID.4 came in 9th. Ford’s F-150 Lightning took 10th place.
As expected, Tesla’s sales of the Model Y grew by 32.4% to clear 252,000 units allowing it to seize the No 1 spot. Not far behind, the Model 3 snuck into 2nd place with 240,200 units. The Model Y landed in showrooms in 2020, and thanks to its SUV characteristics, quickly overtook the Model 3 in terms of popularity. But what really gave the car industry a jolt was the fact that the Model Y didn’t just pick up the No 1 EV position. It also finished in the top 10 best-selling models for the first time, when all car types are taken into account, including gasoline and hybrids.
Grabbing the sixth top-selling ranking, above the GMC Sierra and Honda CR-V, the Model Y polled just behind the Toyota Camry and RAV4. At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting late last year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made the announcement that the Model Y is on track to become the world’s best-selling vehicle by 2024. The Model Y boasts an AWD dual motor, 76-cubic-foot storage, and a 330-mile range for a starting price of $65,990.
First released in 2018, the Model 3 seized the second top spot thanks to its performance, practicality, and handling. The four-door EV is built for safety, achieving a five-star NHTSA rating in every category, fast acceleration of 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds, long-range capabilities topping 358-mile EPA range, and a starting price of $46,990, which makes it eligible for tax credits.
Sliding into the 3rd top place was Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. The Blue Oval’s electric SUV was introduced in 2019 and has steadily expanded its customer base. The five-seat crossover starts at $46,895, offering a smooth, quiet ride with plenty of range and performance. Ford’s year-end numbers indicate 39,458 Mach-E’s were sold in 2022, a jump of 45%.
Ford’s Mach-E features a spacious interior, over-the-air software updates, and advanced safety features. Furthermore, with several different trims offering a mix of range and performance capabilities, you are sure to find the right model for you. Ford sold a total of 61,000 EVs in 2022 making it the second biggest electric vehicle producer in the U.S. behind Tesla.
Slotting in the 4th spot was Tesla’s sleek Model S while the Chevy Bolt EV/EUV took the 5th place. GM said the Bolt was “the No. 1 mainstream EV in Q3 and Q4,” ending the year on a high note. With a starting price of over $25,000, the Bolt EV is the cheapest electric vehicle in America. It’s fast, fun to drive, and still offers a good range with an EPA rating of 259 miles.
The Tesla Model X came in 6th, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 took the No 7 and No 8 spots respectively. Volkswagen’s ID.4 captured 9th and Ford’s F-150 Lightning snagged 10th place.
OUR THOUGHTS
Thanks to the Model Y and 3’s strong sales, Tesla accounted for 65% of the total EV market in the U.S. last year. But while Elon Musk’s brand will continue to sell well, especially as the Cybertruck comes online by year’s end, ambitious rivals including Ford, GM, Hyundai, and Kia will slowly eat into Tesla’s share. Musk’s recent price drop will help retain customers for a short time, but when better-looking, range-equalling, cheaper EVs land in showrooms later this year, the battle will start in earnest.
