America's Top 10 Best-Selling EVs Through Q3 2026 — Tesla Still on Top, Toyota Surging

The US electric vehicle market shook off its post-incentive hangover in the third quarter of 2026, posting its strongest showing in a year. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, 266,630 EVs found new homes between July and September — a 7.7% gain over Q2 and the best quarterly result since EV sales hit their all-time peak in Q3 2025.

The year-over-year comparison looks alarming at first glance: volume fell 38.6% versus the same period last year. But that decline is largely an artifact of timing. The federal $7,500 tax credit expired at the end of September 2025, triggering a buying frenzy that inflated the prior-year figure. Cox Automotive’s Stephanie Valdez Streaty describes the subsequent slump as a “reset phase” that is now mostly behind the industry. EVs accounted for 6.5% of all new light vehicles sold in Q3, up from 5.8% in Q2, though well short of the 10%-plus share recorded during the credit-driven rush a year earlier.

While most automakers posted lower volumes than the prior year, a handful bucked the trend. Toyota and its Lexus division were the standout performers, with EV sales climbing 328% and 442% respectively. Rivian also had a strong quarter, up 46%, and Subaru grew 31% on the back of its three new electric SUVs.

Through the first nine months of 2026, Tesla remains the undisputed leader. The Model Y holds the No. 1 spot with 262,491 units sold, commanding 36% of the EV segment, though its volume slipped 1% year over year. The Model 3 follows in second with 106,962 units — a 31.1% decline. Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 is the best-selling EV not wearing a Tesla badge, ranking third at 31,112 units despite a 24.3% drop. Toyota’s bZ has been the breakout story of the year: sales more than doubled to 24,944, lifting it to fourth place as the refreshed 2026 model wins over shoppers. The Chevrolet Equinox EV sits fifth at 18,154 units, a steep 65.6% fall from last year. Rounding out the top ten are the Rivian R1S (17,259), Ford Mustang Mach-E (17,206), Rivian’s commercial EDV vans (15,685, up 130.4%), the Honda Prologue (13,289) and the Kia EV9 (12,429). Notably, the IONIQ 5, bZ and Equinox EV all start around the $35,000 mark, making affordability a key theme among the volume leaders.

The ranking could shift meaningfully before the year closes, with fresh entries like the Kia EV3 and Rivian R2 now reaching customers. Looking further out, Valdez Streaty argues the next wave of growth will depend on “great products, competitive pricing, and automakers that continue to give consumers compelling reasons to make the switch” — adding that with gasoline prices well above $4 a gallon, the case for going electric looks stronger than ever.