High gas prices have prompted many car shoppers to reconsider electric cars this year, and sales so far show Tesla is still by far the most dominant player in the U.S. plug-in vehicle market.
Electric vehicles accounted for 6.4% of all U.S. new car sales in the third quarter of 2026, up from 5.8% in the second quarter, according to Cox Automotive. This comes as the price of gas in the U.S. averaged $4.33 on Oct. 15, according to AAA. That's up from $3.06 one year ago on Oct. 15, 2025.
The most popular electric car so far this year is the Tesla Model Y, which the Austin, Texas-based company sold over 262,000 units of this year, more than the next 24 best-selling models combined, according to Cox.
“What we’re seeing now is a market finding its footing
again,” Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive, said in a statement. “And high pump prices are likely helping as well. With gas prices well above $4 a gallon, electric vehicles look better than ever.”
With that in mind, USA TODAY Cars took a look at which cars are the top-selling EVs so far this year and what that list says about the current market.
What are the top selling EVs this year?
1. Tesla Model Y
Cars.com American Made Index. It has 70% North American content, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration." id="90319610007">
Starting price: $39,990
Q3 2026 sales: 99,037
Year to date sales: 262,491
2. Tesla Model 3
Starting price: $38,990
Q3 2026 sales: 40,346
Year to date sales: 106,962
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Starting price: $35,000
Q3 2026 sales: 10,382
Year to date sales: 31,112
4. Toyota bZ
Starting price: $34,980
Q3 2026 sales: 7,391
Year to date sales: 24,944
5. Chevrolet Equinox EV
Starting price: $34,980
Q3 2026 sales: 1,905
Year to date sales: 18,154
6. Rivian R1S
Starting price: $83,990
Q3 2026 sales: 5,582
Year to date sales: 17,259
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Starting price: $37,795
Q3 2026 sales: 5,574
Year to date sales: 17,206
8. Rivian EDV 500/700
Starting price: $79,900
Q3 2026 sales: 8,469
Year to date sales: 15,685
9. Honda Prologue
Starting price: $49,995
Q3 2026 sales: 4,882
Year to date sales: 13,289
10. Kia EV9
Starting price: $49,995
Q3 2026 sales: 5,394
Year to date sales: 12,429
What do the top EV sellers say about the market?
The electric market entered 2026 in one of its biggest-ever periods of uncertainty. President Donald Trump ended a popular $7,500 tax credit for EVs that had existed since the end of former President George W. Bush's administration, meaning plug-in models would have to sink or swim on their own for the first time in decades. California state leaders stepped in to offer $3,750 in tax rebates to first-time EV buyers in a bid to bridge at least some of the gap, but those discounts only go to Golden State residents.
EV makers received an unexpected boost, however, when gas prices spiked over $4 per gallon this year after the launch of the U.S-Iran war. Drivers flocked to fuel-efficient models like hybrids and EVs, giving plug-in makers a second chance to make a first impression in some cases.
Valdez Streaty, Cox's director of Industry Insights, said the numbers show the EV industry is stabilizing after taking a big hit when Trump pulled the plug on the federal tax credits.
"The third quarter was the highest EV sales volume in a year, and improvement through 2026 suggests the reset phase is largely behind us," she said. "The next stage of growth will be driven by great products, competitive pricing, and automakers that continue to give consumers compelling reasons to make the switch."
There are many more manufacturers entering into the EV market now than there were several years ago, as evidenced by the fact that there are 10 models this year that have sold more than 10,000 units. But the numbers also show that despite all the controversies causes by its CEO Elon Musk taking very public political stances, Tesla is still far and away the most dominant player in the U.S. EV market. The Model Y and Model 3 have accounted for more than 35% of all EV sales this year, according to Cox's data.
"Nearly every automaker posted lower year-over-year EV volume in Q3, although a handful stood out," Cox said, singling out brands like Toyota, Lexus, Rivian and Subaru for continuing to gain momentum with increased 2026 EV sales.
"At the same time, the brand with the market’s most mature product line continues to drive industry growth," Cox continued. "Despite a 20% year-over-year decline, market leader Tesla remained dominant, accounting for more than half of all EV sales in the United States during the quarter."
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tesla dominates top-selling EVs list. Here's what that means
