The EV Global Adoption Index

As car insurance specialists, we have been curious to dive deeper into the current electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Electric cars are no longer the future – they are very much the present; global EV searches are up 22% year-on-year¹, and sales exceeded 20 million in 2025.  

To benchmark global interest in electric cars and identify which countries are best prepared for EV adoption, this report compares global search data, EV stock and market share figures, and charger type and availability. 

Key takeaways 

• The Chinese-made BYD Seal is the UK's most searched EV in the last 12 months, generating over 900,000 searches. 

• During the same time frame, Tesla’s Model Y is the most Googled electric car globally, generating 25.1 million searches.  

• The Tesla Cybertruck is the most searched for electric car model in 51 countries around the world. 

• Norway leads the way for EV adoption globally, with European countries taking 15 of the top 20 countries with the highest ‘EV Adoption’ score.   

The World’s Most Popular Electric Cars 

To uncover which makes and models of electric cars are garnering the most attention worldwide, we analysed Google search data for more than 200 electric models across more than 200 countries.  Across the globe, the most searched for EVs highlight a clear manufacturing race between the two major players: China’s BYD and America’s Tesla. However, some European, South Korean, and Japanese manufacturers also rank among the most Googled electric cars.  UK search data suggests drivers have more interest in Chinese-made EVs over their US counterparts. Britain's most-searched electric vehicle is the BYD Seal with 916,000 annual searches, narrowly ahead of the Tesla Model Y (897,000 searches). 

UK Top 10 Most-Searched Electric Cars 

 Globally, American-owned Tesla has grown into the leading brand in electric cars. The Model Y claims the title of the most Googled EV globally (25.1 million searches annually), and Tesla’s Cybertruck tops the list in 51 countries, including far-flung locations such as Angola, Malawi, Qatar, Jamaica, Honduras and Bolivia. 

Tesla vs. BYD 

Analysing the top twenty most-searched electric vehicles of the past year (April 2025 – April 2026), it is clear to see the fight for dominance between China’s BYD and America’s Tesla car, with models from these two manufacturers accounting for 40% of the overall ranking, and each claiming four models in the top 20. 

Tesla’s electric vehicles currently command the most attention overall, generating a combined 71.6 million searches worldwide, with the Tesla Model Y being the most searched-for electric vehicle on the planet in the past twelve months.  

But while Tesla’s various models rank first in 75 countries worldwide, BYD is making an enormous impression in the EV market. Its models rank in first place as the most Googled EV in a staggering 50 countries, including the BYD Sealion 7 in Australia, BYD Dolphin in Brazil and BYD Seagull in Egypt.  

Despite the Cybertruck’s memorable design and social media virality, it’s the Tesla Model Y that dominates in markets that have higher EV adoption. This best-selling EV tops Google searches in 17 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Norway and the UAE. 

Thanks to huge investment into cutting-edge software and tech innovation, sales for the Tesla Model Y mirror why the search data is so strong, with the model ranking as the best-selling EV model globally for the past three years (2023-2025)*. But which other EVs rank within the top twenty? 

Global Top 20 Most-Searched Electric Cars 

Source: MoneySuperMarket analysis of Google Keyword Planner data, May 2026. Figures represent combined annual searches across all countries analysed. 

The Tesla Model 3, which debuted in 2017 and has since been praised for combining affordability with high performance, ranks in second place globally with a combined 16.8 million annual searches.  

In third place, China’s BYD Seal, the fastback electric saloon which first launched in the UK in 2023, shows its global presence with over 15.3 million annual searches and ranks the highest in 11 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and Indonesia. 

One of the more unexpected highlights in the top twenty is the Volvo EX30, which ranks at number nine globally with more than 9.5 million annual searches. It’s particularly searched for in countries such as Turkey (879,000 searches), Brazil (633,500) and Germany (574,000).  

America’s Most Wanted EVs 

In America, one EV model has captured the heart of the nation more than any other. From California to Texas, Alaska to Washington D.C., the Tesla Model Y dominates state by state across the country, topping searches in 68% of states (34/50). 

While the Tesla Model Y is beloved for combining a family-friendly SUV with sports performance and great access to the charging network, Tesla does have one chink in its armour stateside.  

Across the states where harsher winters, rougher terrains and rural roads are an everyday occurrence, a challenger for Tesla emerges in the form of the Subaru e-Outback. This Japanese EV leads searches across 14 states, including Montana, Wyoming, Massachusetts and Michigan, with Americans appearing to gravitate towards a brand that has spent decades earning its reputation in harsher conditions, not just on highways and city streets. 

The EV Adoption Index 

Electric vehicles are surging in popularity across the globe, but which countries are truly leading the change?  

To find out, we analysed EV data across 52 countries, creating an ‘EV Adoption Index’ using key metrics, including the current share of EV sales to all cars, sales share growth since 2020, EV stock share (the proportion of all vehicles currently on the road that are electric or plug-in hybrid), public chargers available per EV and fast-charger proportion.  

From this, we can reveal Norway is leading the way in EV adoption, with an index score of 73.2/100. Denmark follows next in second place (64.7/100) and China rounds off the top three (64.5/100).  

Europe dominates the global EV landscape, claiming 15 of the top 20 spots in our index and recording greater sales share growth than any other continent (average of +20%). 

The World’s Top 20 Countries Leading the Way for EV Adoption  

Norway Leads the Way in EV Adoption  

Norway takes the crown as the world’s leading country in EV adoption. It has the highest EV sales share in 2024 of all global locations analysed (92%) and a sales share growth increase of +17%. The Norwegian government has already got its everyday drivers behind the wheel of EVs - as stated in the National Budget 2026: 'practically all new passenger vehicles in Norway are now electric’. With 95.9% of new car sales now electric, the government is confident enough to remove EV subsidies from 2027, making them taxable for the first time. 

Although Norway has a lower charger-to-EV ratio than other countries in the index, the overall ranking is based on all metrics combined. Its exceptional performance elsewhere, including a 92% EV sales share, 32% EV stock share and 41.9% fast-charger share, means the country more than earns its place at the top. 

Denmark takes second place, with an index score of 64.7/100. According to the Danish government's own Klimastatus og -fremskrivning 2026 climate report, emissions from passenger cars alone are expected to fall 52% by 2030, and EVs are projected to account for 94% of all new car sales by the end of the decade. With EV car sales share accounting for 16% of sales in 2020, increasing to 56% in 2024, its progress towards that goal is clear. Ranking 15th in the world for having the most EV chargers per 1,000 EVs (73) and having a stock share in 2024 of 56%, the Danish are ready for more electric cars to be on their roads. 

China rounds off the top three, with an index score of 64.5. With 103 chargers per 1,000 EVs (the fourth highest ratio in the world) and 46% of those chargers being fast chargers, the country is setting itself up for a faster, better way to travel. The country is also showing consistent innovation in EVs, with BYD unveiling its second-generation Flash Charging platform, capable of charging a car from 10% to 70% in just five minutes at the Beijing Auto Show this year. With BYD also setting a target of 1.5 million overseas vehicle sales in 2026, it's clear that China's EV ambitions extend far beyond its own borders. 

Belgium and the Netherlands complete the top five countries leading EV adoption. Denmark holds a 56% EV sales share with a +40% growth, the highest sales share growth in the index, while Belgium boasts 111 chargers per 1,000 EVs and a 43% sales share. 

Europe Powers Ahead Over Other Continents  

Most notably, Europe is leading the way in EV adoption, with fifteen countries ranking in the top 20. The continent has a clear goal in mind - the EU officially committed to 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2035 and a 40 million EV fleet by 2030.

Based on current sales trends, our analysis projects European EV sales to surpass 9.5 million by 2030. However, with fast charger rollout accelerating across the continent, that figure could be even higher. 

The Netherlands leads the way in charger numbers with 192 chargers per 1,000 EVs, while Poland and Portugal are driving the shift to faster charging, with 32.6% and 29% of their networks being fast chargers, respectively. With countries such as Denmark also growing their fast-charging network at rapid rates (79% in a single year), Europe is not just expanding its EV network but accelerating it.   

The UK Makes the Top 20 Countries for EV Adoption 

The UK ranks 13^th for EV adoption overall. With a 28% EV sales share and a 6.4% stock share, one in sixteen cars on UK roads are already electric or plug-in hybrid. This places the country 10th in the world for the proportion of electric vehicles already being driven. However, the UK falls behind on charging infrastructure, with just 41 available per 1,000 EVs. Further, only two in five of these (19.3%) are fast chargers, meaning many drivers rely on at-home, overnight charging.  

Until the UK's charging network catches up with the appetite for EVs, range anxiety could remain the biggest barrier standing between drivers and making the switch.   

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

MoneySuperMarket’s Car Insurance Expert, outlines the drive towards an EV future

“With more EV choices now available to drivers than ever before, and manufacturers like BYD releasing new models at a pace and price points that make EVs more accessible, it’s an exciting time for the EV landscape, and drivers should explore their options. 

“For those worried about running costs, electric vehicles are still expected to carry lower running costs than their petrol or diesel equivalents, and with the upfront price gap between EVs and traditional cars continuing to close as more come to the market, it’s a great time to shop. Among those that are the cheapest to insure, the Renault R5, Mini Cooper Electric and VW ID.3 all come in under £550 a year according to our internal data. 

“If you are sitting on the fence about switching, you can use our EV comparison tool to find out which car is right for you, as well as compare electric car insurance quotes” 

Methodologies 

¹ – Google search data for ‘electric vehicles’ sourced via Google Keyword Planner, correct as of 08.06.2026. 

To uncover the most searched for EVs, MoneySuperMarket analysed Google search data (via Google Keyword Planner Tool, May 2026) for more than 200 electric vehicle models across more than 200 countries worldwide. The scope of EV models included those that were either in production or actively on sale at any point between 2021 and 2026, as well as a small selection of upcoming models.  

EV Adoption Index methodology 

The index ranked 52 global countries, scoring them across five weighted measures of EV adoption. This included: 

• Current EV sales share 

• Sales share growth since 2020 

• EV stock share 

• Public chargers available per EV 

• Fast charger proportion 

Each measure was indexed and combined into a single index score, with weights adjusted proportionally.  Countries with very few EVs but large charging networks can skew the data, so charging ratios are capped at the 85th percentile before scoring to keep results fair. Luxembourg, Ireland, Lithuania, Vietnam, Cyprus, and Russia were also removed from the final ranking due to insufficient data.  Sources:  

International Energy Agency

Our World in Data

*Car and Driver EV data 2025

*Car and Driver EV data 2024

*Car and Driver EV data 2023