Tesla Model X: 21,315
This big and heavy SUV with the falcon-wing rear doors has become a major status symbol in many upper-class neighborhoods. Not only can it go nearly 300 miles on a single charge, if you pop for the P100D version, it can out-accelerate many sports cars. Oh, and you could conceivably survive an airborne bioweapons attack, thanks to the advanced filtering on this EV.
Considering the Model X isn’t exactly cheap, the fact Tesla sold so many last year is impressive. Now, if the California automaker could turn a profit on these things, that would be astounding.
Chevrolet Bolt: 23,397
It might surprise you to see a Chevy on this list. After all, General Motors and advanced technology aren’t always associated in everyone’s minds. It’s time to forget what you think you might know, because the Chevrolet Bolt is the real deal. There’s a good reason it landed in second place for EV sales in 2017.
First off, this car can go 238 miles on a single charge. Yet, it only costs about $37,000, before electric car tax credits. You get the kind of range available through many Tesla models, but at a fraction of the cost. Even the Model 3 will be hard-pressed to compete against this thing.
Granted, the Bolt lacks sexy exterior styling. But, it’s not bad-looking, either. Ditto on the interior, including the 10.2-inch color touchscreen. That tailgate opens wide, with 56.6 cubic feet of max cargo space. In other words, there’s a lot to love about the Chevy Bolt, so it likely will continue to rank high in EV sales for 2018.
Tesla Model S: 27,060
The EV that proved you didn’t have to sacrifice good looks to go all-electric still tops the list of the best selling electric cars. This car has plenty of positive qualities, including 315 miles of range, if you get the P100D. Other features include adaptive LED headlights, semi-autonomous safety systems, an absolutely massive touchscreen for the center stack, and an interior that overall is pretty comfortable.
Believe it or not, the Model S is getting a little long in the tooth, but not by much. The redesigned nose freshened up the looks some, but as the auto industry moves, Tesla hopefully is cooking up a new generation.
A whole range of electric car competitors are coming from other luxury automakers next year, so we might not see the Model S stay at the top of the sales charts.
There’s a chance the Model S’s little brother, the Model 3, could top the list in a the coming years. It probably would have in 2017 had Tesla worked out its production challenges. But for now, the Tesla Model S is the EV to beat, and for many good reasons.
