Brazil's battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales reached a record 6,969 units in May, driven by expanding charging infrastructure and rising consumer familiarity, according to the Brazilian EV association ABVE. This marked a 35% year-on-year increase and a 48.2% surge from April. The Northeast region, despite weaker infrastructure, saw the highest monthly growth at 59%.
Chinese automaker BYD dominated the market, selling 5,596 units—over 80% of May's BEV sales. Volvo and Great Wall Motors followed with 514 and 181 units, respectively. BYD's Brazil VP, Alexandre Baldy, attributed the growth to sustained demand, with plans to expand dealerships to 272 by year-end.
Meanwhile, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) also grew, rising 81% year-on-year to 15,160 units. Fiat overtook BYD as Brazil's top HEV seller, with 4,299 units, leveraging its established brand presence.
Overall EV sales—including BEVs and HEVs—totaled 22,101 units in May, up 63.3% year-on-year, capturing 13.2% of Brazil's auto market. ABVE cited new models and improved infrastructure as key drivers, signaling a lasting shift toward electrification.
