JAKARTA – The map of competition among global electric car manufacturers experienced a significant change at the beginning of 2026. After being left behind, Tesla finally returned to the top position as the global leader of pure electric vehicles, pushing BYD to second place.
Launching from ArenaEV, Tuesday, April 7, the results of the first quarter of 2026 sales will be decisive. In the January-March period, Tesla recorded the delivery of 358,023 electric vehicles to various global markets.
The figure grew 6.5 percent compared to the same period last year, enough to outperform its competitors in the tight competition in the EV segment. Previously, many parties predicted that Tesla would have difficulty maintaining its dominance.
At the end of 2025, BYD had soared and recorded the highest sales of battery-based electric vehicles in the world. However, the trend reversed earlier this year.
Shenzhen-based BYD is under pressure, especially in the domestic market. If you only count pure electric car sales, the company’s performance fell 25.5 percent. During the first quarter, BYD recorded sales of 310,389 units, trailing Tesla by almost 48,000 units.
This decline is inseparable from policy changes in China, the local government revised the rules for electric vehicle incentives which were previously quite aggressive. Starting January 1, the “swap and add” scheme only provides a 12 percent discount with a maximum limit of 20,000 yuan.
Previously, incentives were given in full without restrictions on vehicle prices. In addition, the tax burden also increased, if last year the purchase of electric cars was tax-free, it is now subject to a 5 percent tariff.
With the new scheme, consumers who buy a car for 100,000 yuan must bear an additional tax of around 5,000 yuan and lose an incentive of up to 8,000 yuan. This condition makes many consumers postpone the purchase of new vehicles.
On the other hand, Tesla benefits from its global market reach. The factory in Shanghai remains the backbone of production, with total output reaching 213,398 units during the first three months of 202, more than half of Tesla’s total global sales.
To maintain the appeal of its products, Tesla is also introducing a new strategy. In China, consumers can now enjoy a credit scheme of up to seven years with low interest rates, longer than the general tenor of five years.
Through this program, the Model 3 and Model Y can be owned with installments of less than 2,000 yuan per month, after paying an advance payment of around 80,000 yuan. Despite losing its top position, BYD has not given up.
In March alone, the company managed to sell 300,222 vehicles, an increase compared to February. Local government support and rising fuel prices also boosted the appeal of BYD vehicles in the market.
The competition between Tesla and BYD is sure to continue to be fierce. Both continue to innovate through price adjustments and the addition of features to attract consumers. For now, Tesla can breathe a sigh of relief after returning to the top position, although the challenge of maintaining dominance remains wide open.
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