Size Matters: How BEVs Vary by Category

Analysis of BEVs by category (A–E+F) in the EU, China, and the US, focusing on SUVs, sedans, and MPVs and trends up to 2026.

Quick Summary

This text rewrites the analysis on the division of BEV sales by category, keeping the focus only on BEVs and excluding LCVs. Categories follow A (city cars), B (subcompacts), C (compacts), D (mid-size), and E+F (full-size).

How the Data is Structured

The scope is BEVs only. Categories include cars (hatchbacks, station wagons, and sedans), SUVs (including crossovers), and MPVs. Pickups and LCVs are excluded. In Europe and China, pickups are not included in the count as they are not classified as passenger vehicles.

Market Overview

Among the three largest markets, the EU's BEV structure is the closest to the global standard, with compacts leading the mix—this could favor local BEV manufacturers.

China shows a more balanced distribution, as all categories are above 13% share. This forces local manufacturers to have broad lines for export to different markets, from Italy, which prioritizes city cars, to Russia, which favors larger models.

The US emerges as a distorted market, with 77% of sales in the mid-size category. The Model 3 and Model Y account for nearly half the volume. Even removing these two models, mid-size would remain dominant; compacts would account for only one-third of full-size model sales.

Furthermore, for exports, over 50% of sales are in segments A, B, and C, indicating higher demand for smaller sizes outside the US. Additionally, Stellantis and Ford have operations abroad; GM and Tesla focus less on smaller categories. GM sells small EVs from SGMW with the Chevrolet badge; the Bolt, launched almost nine years ago, is nearing the end of its run. The discussion still questions whether the preference for larger vehicles explains part of the scenario or if the OEMs' offering restricts the options for small BEVs.

Regions Where BEV is Advancing

In Southeast Asia and Latin America, only Chinese OEMs are robustly promoting EVs; in Latin America, 86% of BEV sales belong to Chinese manufacturers.

Beauty by Body Style

The American market remains strongly SUV-focused, accounting for 70% of sales. In China, sedans are still relevant, representing 42% of the total BEV share, unlike in other regions.

In the Other category, the US appears with greater weight due to pickups, which total 7% of the overall share. In other markets, MPVs dominate this space. The presence of only one electric MPV in the US, the VW ID.BUZZ, is noteworthy, and many MPVs in China are PHEV/EREV and therefore do not enter this count.

2020 vs 2025 in Europe

Comparing 2020 with 2025, A- and B-segments lose importance compared to C- and D-segments; city cars sold 68,000 units in 2025, compared to 77,000 in 2020, in a BEV market that grew 251% in the same period.

With OEMs favoring compacts over mid-size models, the average price of BEVs increased during this interval. For 2026, the trend points to accelerated growth in segment B (+65% YoY) and potential for A (+10% YoY), with new players arriving this year (Renault Twingo, Dacia A-segment, Smart #2), expanding the options for city EVs.

Conclusion and Invitation to Discussion

The scenario suggests that competition between segments may redefine offerings and export strategies, with a growing focus on compacts and city cars. And you, do you agree that smaller BEVs will gain ground in the coming years? Share your opinion in the comments below.