Global EV sales for 2025 have been estimated.

New data from Rho Motion Citation Business Motoring. China and Europe lead the charge, according to research. North America has stagnated.

Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion.

China and Europe dominate electric vehicle sales growth

China is still the global leader in electric vehicles. It sold 5.5 millions units, an increase of 32 per cent over last year. China is the largest market for electric vehicles in the world, with nearly half of all EVs purchased worldwide.

Europe came in second with 2,000,000 EVs sold. This represents a 26-percent increase on the year. Growth varies greatly by country.

• Spain led the way with a surge of 85 percent, thanks to MOVES III incentive schemes and CAE.
• Germany and the UK both posted increases of between 40 and 32 percent.
• Lester attributes the 13 percent drop in France to less subsidies. “The UK, Germany and France are leading in the field. France is left behind as price-sensitive motorists continue to be at mercy of subsidies.”

North America lags amid policy changes

North America experienced a disappointing 3% growth. The breakdown of the data is shocking:

• Canada: down by 23 percent
• US: US up 6 percent
• Mexico: an increase of 20 per cent

The figures are being linked to recent policy changes in the United States under President Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, which cuts back on EV support measures.

Analysts predict that the tax incentives in the bill will only temporarily boost US sales during Q3, but then a steep decline in Q4 when they expire.

The battery electric vehicle (BEV) and the plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) both saw gains of between 26 and 27 percent. Chinese manufacturers were partly responsible for the strong performance of PHEVs.

Despite reports that subsidies in certain Chinese cities have been delayed, China continues to lead the EV market. For the momentum to continue, it is expected that more government assistance will be provided in the second quarter of 2025.

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