Global electric vehicle sales surge, North America lags behind
Global electric vehicle sales increased by 25% in the first 8 months of 2025, but in North America the increase was only 6%.
According to Rho Motion data, global electric vehicle sales from January to August 2025 will reach 12.5 million units, up 25% compared to the same period in 2024. This figure includes both pure electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).
Europe saw an impressive 31% growth, or 2.6 million vehicles. Some of the leading countries were Germany, which saw a 45% increase, Italy 41%, and Spain even doubled. However, in France, sales fell 6% compared to last year.
China leads but growth slows
China remains the world’s largest market, with 7.6 million electric vehicles sold in the first eight months of the year. However, growth slowed in July and August compared with the strong growth seen in the same period in 2024, when the Chinese government launched a trade-in subsidy package.
BYD, China's largest electric vehicle maker, is also facing difficulties as profits fall and has had to lower its 2025 sales target to 4.6 million vehicles, 900,000 vehicles lower than the original plan.
North America: Modest Growth
In North America, electric vehicle sales rose just 6% in the first eight months of the year, to about 1.3 million units. August saw higher sales as Americans rushed to buy cars to take advantage of the IRS’s 30D tax incentive, which expires at the end of September.
The market is sluggish due to policies restricting electric vehicles from the Trump administration, including cutting tax credits for businesses, stopping penalties for car companies that do not meet emissions standards and withdrawing funding for building charging infrastructure.
Despite strong growth in the European market, Tesla has not benefited. Its sales in the region fell by 40% in July, despite the launch of new electric models by rivals such as Renault and Stellantis.
Outlook: Europe and China maintain upward momentum
“Global electric vehicle sales hit a record 12.5 million in eight months, with Europe continuing to grow thanks to emissions policies, while China has slowed after a strong period of support last year,” said Charles Lester, data expert at Rho Motion.**
Despite slow growth in North America, global trends show that electric vehicles are still an increasingly popular choice, and supportive policies in Europe and huge demand in China will continue to play a leading role.
