Topic guide · 8 guides
Electric Car Brands and the Industry Shake-Up
The carmakers reshaping the EV world, from BYD and the Chinese newcomers to NIO, Scout and BMW, and how the industry is changing.
The EV era is rewriting the pecking order of the car industry. This hub profiles the brands that matter, from the Chinese giants now outselling Tesla to revived names like Scout, and looks at how cars get made and how green the makers really are.
Brand and industry guides
The China Shock: How Chinese EVs Took On the World
BYD passed Tesla and Xiaomi sold 400,000 cars in year one. How Chinese EV brands got so fast, the price war at home, and why Europe is next. Read guide
BYD Explained: The EV Maker Beating Tesla and VW
A complete guide to BYD: its Blade Battery, cars, prices and global expansion, and how the Chinese brand overtook Tesla and VW in EV sales. Read guide
Who Is BYD? The Chinese EV Giant Taking On Tesla
Meet BYD, the Chinese EV maker that outsold Tesla. How BYD's batteries, low prices and global push made it the electric car company to watch. Read guide
NIO: The Chinese EV Brand Betting on Battery Swaps
NIO's story: the Chinese EV maker known for battery-swap stations. How NIO works, its cars and tech, and whether its bold model can succeed. Read guide
Scout Motors EV: Can It Beat Rivian and Tesla?
Scout Motors is back as an EV brand under VW. The Traveler SUV and Terra truck, range, price and whether Scout can take on Rivian and Tesla. Read guide
BMW Electric Cars: The i4, iX and BMW's EV Strategy
A clear look at BMW electric cars: the i4, iX and i7, BMW's EV strategy, and how the brand is catching up with Tesla in the electric vehicle race. Read guide
The Most Sustainable Car Manufacturers, Ranked
Which carmaker is really the most sustainable? How major automakers compare on emissions, EV plans and green manufacturing, ranked and explained. Read guide
How a Car Is Made: From Sketch to Production
How is a car made? Inside automotive product development, from the first sketch and clay model to engineering, testing and the production line. Read guideThe essentials
The China shift
The biggest story in cars is the rise of China. Read how Chinese newcomers took on the world, our deep dive on BYD, the maker beating Tesla and why it became such a threat, plus NIO and its battery-swap bet.
Newcomers, legacy and how cars get made
Beyond China, an American icon returns as the electric Scout, and BMW shows how a legacy maker is adapting. Go deeper on the industry itself with how a car is made and how green the makers really are in our sustainability comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is BYD bigger than Tesla?
On total new-energy vehicles, yes. BYD outsells Tesla overall because it counts both pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids, and it has rivalled Tesla on pure EVs in several recent quarters.
Which Chinese EV brands are coming to Europe?
BYD leads the push, joined by names like XPeng, NIO, Leapmotor (with Stellantis) and MG, which is Chinese-owned. They are expanding dealer networks and even building factories in Europe.
Are Chinese electric cars any good?
The best now match or beat Western rivals on technology, range and value. Quality has improved dramatically, though long-term reliability records for the newer brands are still young.
Keep exploring