BYD posts record April EV sales in 2025 as pure electrics outpace hybrids
Team Finance Saathi
02/May/2025

What's covered under the Article:
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BYD achieved record April 2025 sales, with over 380,000 NEVs sold, led by strong pure EV demand.
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BYD’s battery EV sales outpaced hybrids for the first time in over a year, driven by smart tech and charging features.
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Other Chinese EV players like Xpeng, Li Auto, and Nio also posted near-record April sales, while Xiaomi faced delays.
BYD Co., China's dominant electric car manufacturer, has recorded its best month of sales in April 2025, selling 380,089 new-energy vehicles (NEVs). This achievement underscores the company’s momentum toward its annual target of 5.5 million units and highlights a major shift in its vehicle mix, where pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) outpaced plug-in hybrids for the first time since early 2024.
Surge in Battery Electric Vehicle Sales
Among the 380,089 NEVs sold, 372,615 were passenger vehicles, while commercial vehicles made up the remainder. Importantly, 195,740 units were pure electric passenger cars, overtaking the 176,875 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in the same period.
This marks a significant milestone for BYD, whose hybrid vehicles had been outselling BEVs due to a major upgrade in its hybrid lineup last year. The growing appeal of pure EVs reflects a combination of new smart-driving features, ultra-fast charging technology, and better product design, catering to evolving consumer demands.
Expansion in High-End Segment and Smart Driving Tech
At China’s premium auto exhibition in Shanghai, BYD showcased an impressive lineup of luxury SUVs and sports cars under development, all embedded with advanced smart-driving capabilities. These concept vehicles are expected to further accelerate sales in the premium EV segment, positioning BYD not only as a volume leader but also as a tech-forward player in the high-margin market.
The new product offerings come equipped with ultra-fast charging systems, aiming to ease one of the biggest consumer pain points with EVs — long charging times. As charging infrastructure improves and BYD introduces its advanced tech across models, the share of pure EVs in total sales is expected to increase further.
Strong Stock Performance Amid Global Trade Tensions
Despite global trade uncertainties, BYD has remained resilient. Notably, BYD doesn’t sell passenger vehicles in the US, allowing it to sidestep tariff-related disruptions that some of its competitors face.
Its shares are up nearly 40% this year, a clear sign of investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory and ability to maintain market dominance in China’s fast-growing EV sector.
Other Chinese EV Makers Also Post Strong April Results
While BYD stole the spotlight, other Chinese EV manufacturers also reported strong April sales, reflecting the continued expansion of the domestic electric vehicle market.
Xpeng, Li Auto, and Nio Deliver Near-Record Numbers
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Xpeng Inc., based in Guangzhou, delivered 35,045 vehicles in April 2025 — a 273% year-on-year surge, marking its second-best month ever.
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Li Auto Inc. saw sales climb 32% to nearly 34,000 units, bolstered by demand for its extended-range electric SUVs.
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Nio Inc. posted 23,900 deliveries, also its second-highest monthly result, driven by new product launches and increased production efficiency.
All three automakers are benefiting from improved product offerings, growing brand loyalty, and consumer incentives provided by the Chinese government to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy vehicles.
Xiaomi Faces a Slight Dip but Orders Remain Strong
Unlike its peers, Xiaomi Corp. experienced a 3.4% decline in April sales compared to March, selling just over 28,000 EVs. This minor dip is attributed to limited production capacity, not falling demand.
Despite the tragic accident involving its SU7 electric sedan in March that led to three fatalities, Xiaomi continues to see strong consumer interest. According to Securities Times, customers are now waiting up to 45 weeks for delivery of the Basic and Pro variants, underscoring the product’s popularity.
Geely Reports Big Gains, Zeekr Faces Competitive Pressure
Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd., another major Chinese player, reported a 53% increase in April sales, reaching 234,112 units. This robust growth shows Geely's ability to scale operations and capture more market share.
However, its premium EV brand Zeekr saw sales decline by 15% year-on-year. The brand, which focuses on high-performance sporty EVs, is facing stiff competition from the likes of Xiaomi, Xpeng, and BYD, all of whom are expanding aggressively into similar product categories.
The Road Ahead: What to Expect in 2025
As we head further into 2025, BYD appears well-positioned to hit or even exceed its 5.5 million vehicle delivery goal. Its investment in advanced technology, luxury product development, and strategic market positioning will likely propel its pure EV growth in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile, the broader Chinese EV industry is experiencing a surge in innovation and competitive intensity, with startups and established players alike chasing larger market shares.
Government policies supporting green mobility, consumer preference shifting toward cleaner and smarter vehicles, and technological breakthroughs in battery and AI driving systems are forming the foundation of China’s dominance in the global EV space.
Conclusion
April 2025 marked a turning point for BYD, not only in terms of raw sales figures but also in the strategic rebalancing toward pure electric vehicles. With competitors like Xpeng, Nio, and Li Auto also reporting strong growth, China continues to lead the global EV revolution.
Xiaomi and Geely are adding more diversity to the market, even as challenges such as production constraints and intense competition persist. The next few months will be crucial as new product launches, global trade dynamics, and technological rollouts determine the pace of growth in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
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