The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has unveiled its third annual Global Automaker Rating, revealing that automakers based in China are rapidly outpacing global competitors in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sector. China now leads the global EV transition, accounting for over 11 million electric vehicle sales annually—more than 50% of the worldwide total.
Chinese companies have effectively utilized their large domestic market to scale up production and accelerate technological advancements. As a result, they are now making significant inroads into international markets. According to the report, Chinese automakers hold all top five spots in ZEV class availability and dominate five of the top six positions for EV sales share. Notably, manufacturers like Geely and SAIC have already reached a 50% EV sales share, hitting their 2025 targets a full year ahead of schedule.
This upward trend highlights the long-term advantages of early and consistent investments in electrification. Meanwhile, automakers in the U.S. and Europe are grappling with the dual challenge of catching up on technology while contending with fluctuating regulatory frameworks.
A standout finding from this year’s report is that BYD surpassed Tesla in global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for the first time in 2024. BYD reported a 25% rise in BEV sales and a 47% jump in combined BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales compared to 2023. Both Tesla and BYD remain in the ICCT’s “Leaders” category.
“Our assessment revealed widespread improvement in BEV technology performance across the industry,” said Zifei Yang, ICCT’s Global Passenger Vehicle Lead and principal author of the report. “The vast majority of automakers demonstrated enhancements in energy consumption, charging speed, and driving range of BEVs sold to the market.”
These improvements are credited to the launch of new high-performance BEV models and growing consumer demand for more efficient, longer-range, and quicker-charging vehicles. GM and Honda made notable progress with the release of more advanced EVs, while Chinese brands such as Geely, Chang’an, and Chery also introduced significantly improved product lines.
India’s Tata Motors reached a key milestone by moving from the ICCT’s “laggard” group to the “transitioner” category, thanks to new electric models and expanded efforts in battery recycling and reuse across major markets. While Japanese and South Korean automakers continue to trail, companies like Honda and Nissan are making visible progress. Honda debuted its first BEV model in the U.S., and Nissan has outlined clearer ZEV targets.
The report also emphasizes the growing relevance of reducing manufacturing-related emissions in the EV transition. ICCT introduced a “green steel” metric this year to evaluate automakers’ initiatives in cutting steel-based emissions—second only to battery production in environmental impact. Companies such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen scored high for their use of renewable energy and commitment to low-emission steel procurement.
“Investors increasingly recognize that automakers embracing the EV transition aren’t just preparing for regulatory compliance—they’re positioning themselves for longterm market leadership,” said Michael Kodransky, Senior Director, Climate and Energy, Transportation at Ceres. “This latest ICCT report provides valuable metrics that help investors distinguish between companies making substantive progress versus those merely making promises.”
“As China-based automakers expand globally, other leading global manufacturers face urgent pressure to accelerate their own transitions or risk losing competitive ground,” said Drew Kodjak, President and CEO of the ICCT. “The rapid evolution of the EV market in China has created technological and manufacturing advantages for companies there. For the wider global auto industry, this is no longer just about meeting future goals – it’s about remaining competitive today in a market that’s charging up.”
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