Best-selling electric cars in Chile 2026: model and brand ranking according to ANAC

The Tesla Model Y is Chile's best-selling electric car in 2026: it registered 1,082 units between January and August, according to the zero and low emission vehicle report of Chile's national automotive association (ANAC), based on Civil Registry data. It is followed by the Tesla Model 3, with 909, and the Volvo EX30, with 421. In total, 6,902 battery electric cars were sold in eight months, 102.3% more than in the same period of 2025.

The market changed quickly. In all of 2025, the best-selling electric car was the Volvo EX30, with 677 units; in 2026 the Model Y passed that figure before September. Here is the full ranking of the best-selling electric cars in Chile, the leading plug-in hybrids, the dominant brands and what explains the jump.

ANAC's ranking counts light and medium battery electric vehicles (BEV) registered between January and August 2026. It includes passenger cars, SUVs and one commercial van, the Maxus eDeliver 3, which ranks sixth thanks to the electrification of delivery fleets.

The two Teslas add up to 1,991 units, almost 29% of all battery electric cars sold in the country.

The second half of the top 10 is dominated by low-cost city electric cars: the Geely EX2, the BYD Dolphin Mini, the Renault Kwid E-Tech, the Dongfeng Nammi and the JAC Ignite 30X. All are among the cheapest models on the market, with list prices of 16 to 23 million pesos, as we detail in the cheapest electric cars in Chile.

Compared with last year there are two changes: Tesla moved from second and third place to first and second, and low-cost Chinese models gained ground. For the full year 2025, according to ANAC's December report, the ranking was led by the Volvo EX30.

In eight months the Model Y has almost doubled what it sold in all of 2025. The Geely EX2, which was not in last year's top 10, went straight into fifth place. The Chevrolet Bolt, by contrast, dropped out of the ranking.

By brand, Tesla leads with 1,992 units and 28.9% of the battery electric segment, followed by BYD with 743 (10.8%) and Volvo with 481 (7.0%). Among the 14 best-selling brands there are nine Chinese ones, and Chinese brands as a whole account for 44.5% of battery electric cars; we analyse this in Chinese electric cars in Chile.

Maxus is a special case: almost all its electric sales are commercial vehicles (313 vans and 39 pickups), making it the leader of the commercial segment with a 69.1% share. It is the brand of last-mile delivery fleets.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are growing even faster than battery electric cars: 4,955 units through August, 181.9% more than in 2025, plus 845 plug-in range-extended electric vehicles (P-REEV). Chinese brands hold an absolute majority in this segment: 86% of plug-in hybrid and range-extended sales.

Two pickups stand out: the Riddara RD6 and the BYD Shark, both plug-in pickups, a very relevant segment in Chile because of its use in mining, farming and business. If you are comparing technologies, see also the cheapest hybrid cars in Chile, which explains the difference between mild, full and plug-in hybrids.

Adding battery electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extended vehicles, plug-in vehicles reached 12,702 units between January and August, up 143.4%. In August alone 1,289 were sold, of which 696 were battery electric (+78.9% on August 2025).

The figure that best sums up the year: in December 2025, ANAC projected that about 12,000 plug-in vehicles would be sold in all of 2026. That target was already exceeded in August. In the whole of 2025, 8,754 were sold, with 2.8% of the market; through August 2026, plug-ins already account for 6.2% of new light and medium vehicles.

• Higher fuel prices: diesel and petrol have risen sharply since July 2026, and ANAC attributes part of the interest to the search for ways to cut fuel spending.
• Lower prices: the arrival of Chinese city models put new electric cars below 20 million pesos.
• Tax benefits: electric cars pay a discounted circulation permit under Law 21,505.
• More public charging: according to SEC data cited by ANAC, Chile ended 2025 with 2,088 public charging points, 700 more than in 2024, of which 363 are fast chargers (over 50 kW).
• Fleets: vans such as the Maxus eDeliver 3 enter the ranking thanks to the electrification of urban delivery.

Even with this growth, the segment is still small. ANAC stresses in its report that, despite the strong increase, plug-ins represent only 6.2% of the market, which shows that adoption is still at an early stage.

A model selling well does not mean it suits everyone. Before choosing, check five points:

• Real range: the official figure tends to be optimistic; on highways, at high speed and in cold weather, real range is lower.
• Home charging: if you have your own parking space, a wall charger (wallbox) is the cheapest way to charge.
• Service network: brands that have been in Chile longer have more workshops and spare parts.
• Battery warranty: 8-year coverage is common; check the mileage and the capacity percentage it covers.
• Resale value: the used electric car market in Chile is still small.

What is the best-selling electric car in Chile?

The Tesla Model Y, with 1,082 units between January and August 2026, according to ANAC. In the full year 2025, the best seller was the Volvo EX30, with 677.

Which electric car brand sells the most in Chile?

Tesla, with 1,992 units and 28.9% of the battery electric segment through August 2026. BYD is second, with 743.

How many electric cars are sold per year in Chile?

In 2025, 8,754 plug-in vehicles were sold. Between January and August 2026, the figure already reached 12,702, of which 6,902 are battery electric.

What is the best-selling plug-in hybrid?

The Changan CS55 Plus iDD, with 775 units through August 2026, followed by the BYD Song Plus 1.5T, with 543.

How often is this ranking updated?

ANAC publishes its zero and low emission report every month. We will update this ranking on this same page when the September figures are released.