--- title: "Electric car brands: Which brands are most popular in search?" description: "Compare the electric car brands households and businesses choose. Share of Search among Volkswagen, Tesla, BYD, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Rivian, Polestar and Lucid Motors, the electric car brands Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time." canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/electric-car-brands" publisher: "Brandwave" --- # Electric car brands: Which brands are most popular in search? Compare the electric car brands households and businesses choose. Share of Search among Volkswagen, Tesla, BYD, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Rivian, Polestar and Lucid Motors, the electric car brands Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time. ## Key facts - **Competitive set**: Electric car brands - **Market**: Global - **Brands compared**: 9 - **Month measured**: Aug 2026 - **Highest Share of Search**: Volkswagen, 23.2% ## Which brand is most popular in search among electric car brands worldwide? - In August 2026, Volkswagen was the most searched among electric car brands worldwide, with an estimated 9.1M branded searches and 23.2% estimated Share of Search within this set. - Tesla is in 2nd place, 4.2 percentage points behind at 19% Share of Search. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Volkswagen’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide increased from 21.3% to 23.2%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Tesla’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide decreased from 21.3% to 19%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, BYD’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide increased from 14.3% to 15.6%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Hyundai’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide decreased from 17.4% to 15.6%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Kia’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide increased from 11.6% to 12.7%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Nissan’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide decreased from 9.5% to 8.5%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Rivian’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide increased from 1.9% to 2.5%. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Volkswagen’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 24.7% in December 2025 and was lowest at 20.3% in June 2026. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Tesla’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 21.5% in April 2026 and was lowest at 17.4% in January 2026. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, BYD’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 18.3% in May 2026 and was lowest at 13.5% in December 2025. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Hyundai’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 18.9% in November 2025 and was lowest at 14.4% in April 2026. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Kia’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 12.7% in August 2026 and was lowest at 10.3% in November 2025. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Nissan’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide peaked at 9.6% in March 2026 and was lowest at 7.9% in April 2026. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Volkswagen rose from 2nd to 1st among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Tesla fell from 1st to 2nd among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, BYD rose from 4th to 3rd among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Hyundai fell from 3rd to 4th among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Rivian rose from 8th to 7th among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Polestar fell from 7th to 8th among electric car brands worldwide. - Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Lucid Motors held steady: its estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide moved less than 0.5 percentage points. ## Compare search popularity between leading brands - [Volkswagen vs Tesla: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/tesla-vs-volkswagen): 23.2% against 19% Share of Search. - [Volkswagen vs BYD: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/byd-vs-volkswagen): 23.2% against 15.6% Share of Search. - [Volkswagen vs Hyundai: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/hyundai-vs-volkswagen): 23.2% against 15.6% Share of Search. - [Volkswagen vs Kia: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kia-vs-volkswagen): 23.2% against 12.7% Share of Search. - [Tesla vs BYD: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/byd-vs-tesla): 19% against 15.6% Share of Search. - [Tesla vs Hyundai: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/hyundai-vs-tesla): 19% against 15.6% Share of Search. - [Tesla vs Kia: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kia-vs-tesla): 19% against 12.7% Share of Search. - [BYD vs Hyundai: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/byd-vs-hyundai): 15.6% Share of Search each. - [BYD vs Kia: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/byd-vs-kia): 15.6% against 12.7% Share of Search. - [Hyundai vs Kia: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/hyundai-vs-kia): 15.6% against 12.7% Share of Search. ## How did search popularity change for electric car brands worldwide in August 2026? - In August 2026, Kia gained estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide, from 10.6% to 12.7%. - BYD’s estimated Share of Search among electric car brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 18.3% to 15.6% in August 2026. - In August 2026, Rivian rose from 8th to 7th among electric car brands worldwide. - In August 2026, Polestar fell from 7th to 8th among electric car brands worldwide. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Hyundai worldwide fell 18.2% over 11 measured months, from 7.5M to 6.1M in August 2026. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Tesla worldwide fell 18.2% over 11 measured months, from 9.1M to 7.5M in August 2026. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Nissan worldwide fell 18.1% over 11 measured months, from 4.1M to 3.4M in August 2026. ## Share of Search ranking | Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Volkswagen | 23.2% | 9.1M | 0.0% | Volkswagen | | 2 | Tesla | 19% | 7.5M | 0.0% | Tesla | | 3 | BYD | 15.6% | 6.1M | 0.0% | BYD | | 4 | Hyundai | 15.6% | 6.1M | 0.0% | Hyundai | | 5 | Kia | 12.7% | 5M | +22.2% | Kia | | 6 | Nissan | 8.5% | 3.4M | 0.0% | Nissan | | 7 | Rivian | 2.5% | 1M | 0.0% | Rivian | | 8 | Polestar | 2.1% | 823K | -17.7% | Polestar | | 9 | Lucid Motors | 0.74% | 292K | -2.8% | Lucid Motors | ## Historical estimated branded-search demand | Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Oct 2025 | Tesla | 9.1M | 21.3% | 1 | | Oct 2025 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 21.3% | 2 | | Oct 2025 | Hyundai | 7.5M | 17.4% | 3 | | Oct 2025 | BYD | 6.1M | 14.3% | 4 | | Oct 2025 | Kia | 5M | 11.6% | 5 | | Oct 2025 | Nissan | 4.1M | 9.5% | 6 | | Oct 2025 | Polestar | 823K | 1.9% | 7 | | Oct 2025 | Rivian | 823K | 1.9% | 8 | | Oct 2025 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.72% | 9 | | Nov 2025 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 23.1% | 1 | | Nov 2025 | Hyundai | 7.5M | 18.9% | 2 | | Nov 2025 | Tesla | 7.5M | 18.9% | 3 | | Nov 2025 | BYD | 6.1M | 15.5% | 4 | | Nov 2025 | Kia | 4.1M | 10.3% | 5 | | Nov 2025 | Nissan | 3.4M | 8.5% | 6 | | Nov 2025 | Polestar | 823K | 2.1% | 7 | | Nov 2025 | Rivian | 823K | 2.1% | 8 | | Nov 2025 | Lucid Motors | 256K | 0.65% | 9 | | Dec 2025 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 24.7% | 1 | | Dec 2025 | Tesla | 7.5M | 20.2% | 2 | | Dec 2025 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 16.5% | 3 | | Dec 2025 | BYD | 5M | 13.5% | 4 | | Dec 2025 | Kia | 4.1M | 11.1% | 5 | | Dec 2025 | Nissan | 3.4M | 9.1% | 6 | | Dec 2025 | Rivian | 823K | 2.2% | 7 | | Dec 2025 | Polestar | 673K | 1.8% | 8 | | Dec 2025 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.84% | 9 | | Jan 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 21.3% | 1 | | Jan 2026 | BYD | 7.5M | 17.4% | 2 | | Jan 2026 | Hyundai | 7.5M | 17.4% | 3 | | Jan 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 17.4% | 4 | | Jan 2026 | Kia | 5M | 11.7% | 5 | | Jan 2026 | Nissan | 4.1M | 9.5% | 6 | | Jan 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.3% | 7 | | Jan 2026 | Rivian | 823K | 1.9% | 8 | | Jan 2026 | Lucid Motors | 392K | 0.91% | 9 | | Feb 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 23.1% | 1 | | Feb 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 18.9% | 2 | | Feb 2026 | BYD | 6.1M | 15.5% | 3 | | Feb 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 15.5% | 4 | | Feb 2026 | Kia | 5M | 12.7% | 5 | | Feb 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 8.5% | 6 | | Feb 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.5% | 7 | | Feb 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.5% | 8 | | Feb 2026 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.79% | 9 | | Mar 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 21.4% | 1 | | Mar 2026 | BYD | 7.5M | 17.5% | 2 | | Mar 2026 | Hyundai | 7.5M | 17.5% | 3 | | Mar 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 17.5% | 4 | | Mar 2026 | Kia | 5M | 11.7% | 5 | | Mar 2026 | Nissan | 4.1M | 9.6% | 6 | | Mar 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.3% | 7 | | Mar 2026 | Polestar | 823K | 1.9% | 8 | | Mar 2026 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.73% | 9 | | Apr 2026 | Tesla | 9.1M | 21.5% | 1 | | Apr 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 21.5% | 2 | | Apr 2026 | BYD | 7.5M | 17.6% | 3 | | Apr 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 14.4% | 4 | | Apr 2026 | Kia | 5M | 11.8% | 5 | | Apr 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 7.9% | 6 | | Apr 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.4% | 7 | | Apr 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.4% | 8 | | Apr 2026 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.73% | 9 | | May 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 22.4% | 1 | | May 2026 | BYD | 7.5M | 18.3% | 2 | | May 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 18.3% | 3 | | May 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 15% | 4 | | May 2026 | Kia | 5M | 12.2% | 5 | | May 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 8.2% | 6 | | May 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.4% | 7 | | May 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.4% | 8 | | May 2026 | Lucid Motors | 311K | 0.76% | 9 | | Jun 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 20.3% | 1 | | Jun 2026 | Volkswagen | 7.5M | 20.3% | 2 | | Jun 2026 | BYD | 6.1M | 16.6% | 3 | | Jun 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 16.6% | 4 | | Jun 2026 | Kia | 4.1M | 11.1% | 5 | | Jun 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 9.1% | 6 | | Jun 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.7% | 7 | | Jun 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.7% | 8 | | Jun 2026 | Lucid Motors | 275K | 0.74% | 9 | | Jul 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 23.7% | 1 | | Jul 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 19.4% | 2 | | Jul 2026 | BYD | 6.1M | 15.9% | 3 | | Jul 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 15.9% | 4 | | Jul 2026 | Kia | 4.1M | 10.6% | 5 | | Jul 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 8.7% | 6 | | Jul 2026 | Polestar | 1M | 2.6% | 7 | | Jul 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.6% | 8 | | Jul 2026 | Lucid Motors | 300K | 0.78% | 9 | | Aug 2026 | Volkswagen | 9.1M | 23.2% | 1 | | Aug 2026 | Tesla | 7.5M | 19% | 2 | | Aug 2026 | BYD | 6.1M | 15.6% | 3 | | Aug 2026 | Hyundai | 6.1M | 15.6% | 4 | | Aug 2026 | Kia | 5M | 12.7% | 5 | | Aug 2026 | Nissan | 3.4M | 8.5% | 6 | | Aug 2026 | Rivian | 1M | 2.5% | 7 | | Aug 2026 | Polestar | 823K | 2.1% | 8 | | Aug 2026 | Lucid Motors | 292K | 0.74% | 9 | | Sep 2026 | BYD | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Hyundai | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Kia | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Lucid Motors | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Nissan | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Polestar | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Rivian | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Tesla | — | — | — | | Sep 2026 | Volkswagen | — | — | — | ## What is being compared - **BYD**: Measured on the search term “byd”. - **Hyundai**: Measured on the search term “hyundai”. - **Kia**: Measured on the search term “kia”. - **Lucid Motors**: Measured on the search terms “lucid air” and “lucid motors”, summed into one figure. - **Nissan**: Measured on the search term “nissan”. - **Polestar**: Measured on the search term “polestar”. - **Rivian**: Measured on the search term “rivian”. - **Tesla**: Measured on the search term “tesla”. - **Volkswagen**: Measured on the search term “volkswagen”. - [BYD](/demand/global-en/brands/byd) - [Hyundai](/demand/global-en/brands/hyundai) - [Kia](/demand/global-en/brands/kia) - [Lucid Motors](/demand/global-en/brands/lucid-motors) - [Nissan](/demand/global-en/brands/nissan) - [Polestar](/demand/global-en/brands/polestar) - [Rivian](/demand/global-en/brands/rivian) - [Tesla](/demand/global-en/brands/tesla) - [Volkswagen](/demand/global-en/brands/volkswagen) ## Methodology - [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which brand is most popular in search among electric car brands worldwide? In August 2026, Volkswagen was the most searched among electric car brands worldwide, with an estimated 9.1M branded searches and 23.2% estimated Share of Search within this set. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms. ## Cite this page Brandwave. "Electric car brands: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/electric-car-brands This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/electric-car-brands. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.