As Tesla continues to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) market, a recent study sheds light on the intriguing disparities in global online searches for EVs across different countries. Gridserve, a sustainable energy company, compiled a comprehensive database of the most sought-after EVs worldwide, drawing data from 317 distinct vehicle models and spanning more than 200 countries. While it’s essential to recognize that online searches may not directly correlate with sales, this study offers valuable insights into the EV models that capture the imaginations of people worldwide.
At the forefront of the online search volume ranking, Tesla’s Model 3 emerges as the undisputed leader with an astounding 20 million hits. Notably, Kia’s EV6 claims the second position with 15.8 million searches, surpassing Tesla’s Model Y with 13.9 million searches and creating a substantial gap between itself and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at 12.7 million searches.
| Electric Vehicle | Google Search Volume (2022) |
| Tesla Model 3 | 19,989,872 |
| Kia EV6 | 15,815,185 |
| Tesla Model Y | 13,908,451 |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 12,689,787 |
| Tesla Model S | 11,459,099 |
| Porsche Taycan | 10,511,286 |
| Tesla Model X | 9,535,778 |
| Polestar 2 | 8,212,142 |
| Lexus RZ | 7,186,840 |
| BMW i4 | 7,063,510 |
However, the intrigue deepens as one delves further into the data. While the Lexus RZ ranks ninth in the overall search volume with 7.2 million hits, it remarkably emerges as the most sought-after EV in 47 countries. Often, individuals gravitate toward EVs with local connections, exemplified by the Indian-manufactured Tata Nexon, which garners over 2 million searches in India, making it the country’s most sought-after electric car. In Croatia, the Rimac Nevera reigns supreme, capturing the majority of searches in multiple Balkan countries.
Conversely, certain countries display a notable lack of enthusiasm for EVs. For instance, the BMW iX, the most searched-for EV in Iran, garnered a mere 10 clicks. While Iran does restrict Google access to select websites, it remains unclear why EVs would be categorized as unwelcome Western content.
| Country | Most-Searched EV | Search Volume |
 U.S. |
Tesla Model 3 | 6,855,000 |
 India |
Tata Nexon | 2,364,000 |
 Germany |
Tesla Model 3 | 1,954,000 |
 France |
Tesla Model 3 | 1,909,000 |
 UK |
Tesla Model 3 | 1,258,500 |
 Indonesia |
Wuling Air Ev | 992,120 |
 Canada |
Kia EV6 | 916,500 |
 Italy |
Tesla Model 3 | 911,000 |
 Spain |
Tesla Model 3 | 816,122 |
 Netherlands |
Kia EV6 | 764,000 |
 Brazil |
Porsche Taycan | 670,500 |
China’s search results are influenced by the fact that Google is not the predominant search engine in the country. The study places the Tesla Model 3 as the most searched-for EV, despite China’s BYD surpassing Tesla in actual sales during 2022.
The study also offers insights into EV preferences within the United States, with varying results by state. While Montana and Wyoming displayed a strong affinity for the Rivan R1T, Michigan favored the Cadillac Lyriq. The Kia EV6 captured the imagination of Colorado, Washington, and Utah, while Maine, Oregon, and Vermont exhibited a preference for the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Remarkably, 41 states unanimously leaned toward the Tesla Model 3, emphasizing its widespread appeal.
