China's EV Market: 54,518 Three-Row Electric SUVs Sold in December as NIO ES8 Gains Ground

⬤ Here's the thing: China's EV market just wrapped up 2025 with some pretty impressive numbers. Pure electric three-row SUVs moved 54,518 units in December alone, smashing previous records and holding the top spot across all powertrain types for the fourth month running. The NIO ES8 is right in the mix of this growing segment, competing alongside other major players as buyers increasingly go all-electric for their family haulers.

⬤ December's sales jumped 18% from November, breaking past the 50,000-unit mark for the first time ever. That put battery-electric SUVs ahead of plug-in hybrids, traditional gas models, and range-extended alternatives in the three-row category. Four consecutive months of leading the pack suggests this isn't just a temporary spike—consumers are genuinely shifting toward fully electric powertrains when shopping for larger SUVs.

⬤ Breaking down the December numbers: plug-in hybrid three-row SUVs hit 49,760 units, gasoline models reached 38,123, and range-extended SUVs totaled 37,919. Throughout the second half of 2025, pure electric three-row SUV sales climbed sharply year-over-year, driven by new flagship models from both domestic and international brands. The NIO ES8 sits within this competitive landscape, benefiting from the overall segment expansion rather than single-handedly driving it.

⬤ Why this matters: the record performance shows buyers are gaining confidence in larger, fully electric vehicles—traditionally a tougher sell because of range anxiety, higher prices, and charging concerns. Continued growth here points to better battery tech, more charging stations, and changing expectations in China's premium SUV space. For manufacturers like NIO, the tailwinds are favorable, though competition's heating up fast as everyone tries to grab share in one of the hottest corners of the EV market.