Chevrolet Equinox EV Emerges as America’s Best-Selling Non-Tesla Electric Car

Tesla’s dominance in the U.S. electric vehicle market remains firmly intact, with the Model Y continuing to lead overall EV sales. However, beneath Tesla’s shadow, competition among other automakers has intensified. In 2025, a new contender clearly pulled ahead of the pack, becoming the most popular non-Tesla electric vehicle in America.

That vehicle is the Chevrolet Equinox EV, a model that has quickly reshaped the competitive landscape for mass-market electric crossovers.

A Breakout Year for the Chevrolet Equinox EV

General Motors confirmed that it sold 57,945 Chevrolet Equinox EVs in the U.S. during 2025, making it the best-selling electric vehicle in the country outside of Tesla’s lineup. The figure represents roughly double the model’s 2024 volume, when availability was limited to part of the year.

The Equinox EV’s rapid rise highlights a formula that continues to resonate with American buyers: over 300 miles of driving range paired with a price in the mid-$30,000 range. For much of the year, the now-expired $7,500 federal EV tax credit further strengthened its value proposition, making the crossover one of the most affordable long-range EVs on the market.

Its success played a meaningful role in GM’s broader EV performance. In total, the automaker sold nearly 170,000 electric vehicles in the U.S. last year, marking 48% year-over-year growth compared with 2024.

Surpassing Established Rivals

The Equinox EV’s sales momentum allowed it to overtake the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which had held the title of best-selling non-Tesla EV the previous year. Despite losing the top spot, the Mach-E still delivered a solid performance, ending 2025 with 51,620 units sold.

The shift marks another changing of the guard in the non-Tesla EV segment. In 2023, the now-discontinued Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV led the category with more than 62,000 combined sales. GM’s return to the top with a different, more modern EV underscores how quickly leadership can change as new products enter the market.

Familiar Names Round Out the Top Five

Beyond Chevrolet and Ford, the rest of the leaderboard looked largely familiar. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 secured its position as one of the most popular electric crossovers with 47,039 units sold, while the Honda Prologue followed with 39,194 deliveries.

These models were also among the strongest performers in 2024, suggesting that consumer preferences in the non-Tesla EV space have remained relatively stable. Practical range, competitive pricing, and recognizable brands continue to matter more than radical design or cutting-edge technology alone.

A Late-Year Slowdown Raises Questions

Despite its strong annual results, the Equinox EV showed signs of vulnerability toward the end of the year. In the fourth quarter of 2025, GM sold just 5,111 units, reflecting a broader slowdown across the EV market following the expiration of the federal tax credit at the end of September.

How quickly sales rebound in 2026 remains uncertain. The loss of government incentives has made many EVs effectively more expensive overnight, forcing automakers to lean more heavily on their own discounts and financing offers to sustain demand.

New Entrants Could Reshape the Ranking

Looking ahead, much of the current non-Tesla leaderboard is expected to remain intact through 2026. However, several upcoming models could disrupt the status quo.

Nissan is preparing to launch a third-generation Leaf, priced around $30,000, with an even more affordable variant planned. Meanwhile, General Motors is reviving the Chevrolet Bolt with improved specifications and a sub-$30,000 starting price, targeting cost-conscious buyers directly.

Both automakers have cautioned that production will scale gradually, but these lower-priced entries could prove highly influential if demand materializes.

Rivian R2 Looms as the Biggest Wildcard

Perhaps the most closely watched newcomer is the Rivian R2, a $45,000 electric crossover aimed squarely at the Tesla Model Y. One of the most anticipated EV launches in recent years, the R2 has the potential to compete on both performance and brand appeal.

If Rivian can ramp production smoothly and avoid the supply challenges that plagued earlier launches, the R2 could quickly earn a place among America’s best-selling non-Tesla EVs.

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