18:53 01-01-2026

BYD closes in on Tesla in Spain’s 2025 EV market

Spain’s 2025 EV market ends in a near tie: Tesla sells 16,024 to BYD’s 15,857, just 167 apart. See rankings, December surge, and why 2026 could flip the lead.

The end of 2025 in Spain turned into a tense showcase for the leaders of the electric-car market. BYD delivered a powerful year-end surge and closed right up on first place: Tesla held on to the annual lead, but the margin was symbolic—just 167 cars. In absolute terms, Tesla finishes the year with 16,024 EVs and a 14.3% share, while BYD ends with 15,857 and 14.2%. It’s essentially a near tie that underscores how quickly the balance of power is shifting.

The rest of the field is well behind: next in the ranking come Kia, Renault, Toyota, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz, with Citroen, BMW, and Peugeot completing the top ten, each at around 4%. The real story isn’t in the lower positions, though. December marked a turning point for BYD: the brand posted an exceptionally strong quarter and, in recent months, steadily built momentum to compete with Tesla on equal footing.

Importantly, BYD’s rise did not rely solely on corporate purchases. The brand was active in the private market and in VTC—areas where a product’s real appeal in price, availability, and running costs shows up fastest. In the mass segment, the compact Surf added visibility, managing to challenge the familiar players in a very short time.

Against this backdrop, 2026 looks potentially decisive. Tesla’s advantage is minimal and vulnerable; if BYD keeps its current rhythm, an overtake could come not from a one-off push, but from the momentum of demand and a broader model lineup.