Tesla’s Model Y remains the dominant electric vehicle in the United States. Kelley Blue Book estimates released by Cox Automotive put Model Y sales at about 99,037 units in the third quarter of 2026 — roughly 37% of every EV sold in the country and more than nine times the volume of the best-selling non-Tesla EV in the same period.
Cox’s figures also show Tesla selling an estimated 144,094 EVs in Q3, good for roughly 54% of the U.S. electric market even as Tesla’s own U.S. volume fell nearly 20% year over year. The Model 3 added an estimated 40,346 sales (about 15% of the EV market). Together, the two volume models accounted for nearly all of Tesla’s U.S. deliveries in the quarter.
The broader U.S. EV picture
Total U.S. EV sales rebounded sequentially. Early Cox commentary cited about 266,630 EVs in Q3 (up roughly 7–8% from Q2); a revised Kelley Blue Book table circulating October 13 put the quarterly total nearer 262,649 with about 6% sequential growth. Either way, Q3 was the strongest EV quarter in about a year after the post-tax-credit hangover — though still far below the inflated Q3 2025 rush before federal EV credits expired.
EVs represented roughly 6.4–6.5% of all new U.S. vehicle sales in the quarter, up from about 5.8% in Q2. Rivian and Toyota posted notable year-over-year gains, while several legacy brands saw steep declines versus last year’s credit-driven peak.
Canadian analysts at Drive Tesla Canada and TeslaNorth highlighted the same pattern: Tesla’s share is holding above half even while absolute Tesla volumes cool.
Canada angle
These are U.S. registration estimates, not Canadian delivery stats. Still, they matter north of the border because the same Model Y and Model 3 platforms drive Tesla’s lineup here — and because Canadian shoppers are already dealing with a separate story: Tesla has paused new Model 3 Premium orders in Canada while citing China-built EV import quota limits. Strong U.S. Model Y demand underscores how concentrated Tesla’s current sales are in two products.
For Ontario owners, the takeaway is familiar: the refreshed Model Y remains the volume bet, and software and charging features continue to define the ownership experience more than niche halo cars.
Curious how your Model Y stacks up against the crowd? Share your trim and year in our Ontario Tesla Facebook group.