Tesla holds the title of the largest electric carmaker in the world when we’re talking purely about fully electric vehicles. If you live in the U.S., you’re probably used to seeing Tesla as the market leader. However, Tesla isn’t the champion globally in the broader category of electrified vehicles. This group includes plug-in hybrids, which Tesla doesn’t produce. When you count these in, Tesla drops to second place, with Chinese carmaker BYD taking the top spot, and it’s not even a close race.
BYD’s reach isn’t limited to China. It’s fairly popular across Asia, Europe, and Australia and is continually expanding, which could see it outpacing Tesla even more as Tesla struggles to ramp up the production of its new cars.
Several Chinese automakers are building impressive electric vehicles that could easily compete with American and South Korean counterparts. Some car-makers offer unique models in other markets that aren’t available in the U.S. Here are some of the best EVs that you can’t currently buy in the United States.
BYD is the leading player in China’s EV market. The BYD Han, for instance, is BYD’s version of the Tesla Model S, offering a luxury electric sedan experience. It can go from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, which is fast, though not quite as fast as the top variants of the Model S. The BYD Han also boasts a range of about 340 miles on a single charge and features a plush interior and sleek exterior, making it a stylish option overall.
Another major player in the Chinese EV market is Nio. The Nio ET7 is its luxury sedan rival to the Tesla Model S. It features slim headlights, large wheels, and a design that includes flush door handles and a grille-free front. Performance-wise, it accelerates to 100 kilometers an hour in 3.8 seconds, just a tad faster than the BYD Han. It has an electric range of about 314 miles, although China’s EV range standards are a bit more lenient than those in the U.S. Nio has plans to start selling cars in the U.S. by 2025, so American consumers could see this model soon.
Though not a Chinese automaker, Mercedes-Benz also makes some electric vehicles that aren’t available stateside. The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the entry-level model in many regions, with an electric range of up to 438 kilometers, or about 270 miles, and an acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour in 7.7 seconds. It’s luxurious inside, with comfortable seating and high-tech infotainment systems that support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Another noteworthy vehicle from Nio is the Nio ES8. This three-row electric SUV boasts a sleek design and impressive features that could appeal to U.S. consumers. It can accelerate to 100 kilometers an hour in 4.9 seconds and has an all-electric range of 580 kilometers, or roughly 360 miles. The ES8 also offers a luxurious interior, advanced comfort features, and a large infotainment display.
The Renault Zoe, a non-Chinese example, is one of Europe’s best-selling electric cars. It’s a compact electric vehicle with a range of up to 238 miles, designed for city driving. While it’s not as powerful as many competitors, needing around 9.9 seconds to go from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour, its affordability makes it highly popular. Starting at around 20,700 euros in France (about $22,600), it’s much cheaper than most electric cars available in the U.S.
Chinese and European automakers have a lot to offer, and their competition could soon make its way to the U.S. This increased competition could drive prices down and improve the quality of electric vehicles available to American consumers, giving them access to some of the best cars on the market.