Tesla Model 3 Is World’s Top Selling Electric Vehicle For 2018

The Tesla Model 3 luxury all-electric four-door sedan was the world’s best selling electric car in 2018 and looks set to repeat in 2019 since it’s now just beginning to see its first deliveries in China.

This is the first time the Model 3 has earned the distinction of being the top seller. Tesla plans to nearly double production of the Model 3 this year, which will ignite a sales surge, especially overseas.

More than 138,000 Model 3s were sold worldwide in 2018, said automotive intelligence firm JATO Dynamics Ltd. This total easily outperformed competing electric vehicles (EVs) such as the EC-Series, which is the flagship EV of state-owned Chinese automaker BAIC, and the Nissan Leaf. BAIC sold 92,000 of these EVs while Nissan sold 85,000 Leafs.

The Tesla Model S five-door liftback was fifth in JATO’s list with 48,000 sold in 2018. In total, Tesla ended 2018 with more than 230,000 electric cars sold.

Tesla also plans to reveal the Model Y crossover SUV later this year with full volume production set for 2020.

News of Tesla’s dominance in the global EV market comes at the same time Tesla is starting deliveries of the Model 3 in China, by far the largest world market for electric cars. Tesla is also delivering Model 3s in Europe for the first time.

These new markets are expected to boost Tesla’s sales of the Model 3 by over 100,000 units in 2019. Tesla also plans on doubling Model 3 production this year to satisfy growing demand.

Some analysts, however, are increasingly concerned demand for the Model 3 is waning in the U.S. because Tesla’s EVs are now no longer eligible for the full $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit. The starting price for a Model 3 in the U.S. stands at $42,000, which is still a long way off from the $35,000 car Musk promised to produce.

Tesla will also face more intense competition starting this year.