Over One Million Electric Cars Sold in Europe in Early 2025

Over One Million Electric Cars Sold in Europe in Early 2025

Europe’s shift to electric mobility is moving faster than ever. In just the first seven months of 2025, more than one million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered across the European Union. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), 1,011,903 BEVs hit the roads between January and July, giving electric cars a 15.6% share of the EU market. That’s a big jump from the 12.5% share in the same period of 2024.

Europe’s Wider Picture: EU + EFTA + UK

When looking beyond the EU to include the UK and EFTA countries like Norway and Switzerland, the numbers are even stronger. Across the broader European market, BEVs accounted for 17.2% of all new car sales. Countries like Norway and the UK, which have already made strong progress in electrification, are helping push the average upward.

A Milestone for Electric Cars

Crossing the one-million sales mark in just over half a year shows how fast EV adoption is accelerating. BEVs are no longer just for early adopters—they’re moving into the mainstream.

The trend is clear:

In July 2025 alone, BEVs again made up 15.6% of sales, up from 12.1% in July 2024.

Diesel cars, once a strong player, dropped sharply to just 9.5% share, compared with 12.8% last year.

The data confirms that combustion engines are quickly losing ground as consumers turn to cleaner alternatives.

Hybrids on Top, Combustion Declines

Even though BEV sales are surging, hybrid vehicles remain the top choice for European buyers. With a 34.7% market share, hybrids have overtaken petrol cars as the dominant option. Most carmakers now release new models with at least some hybrid technology, a trend likely to keep growing.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel cars continue to shrink. Their combined share fell from 47.9% in 2024 to 37.7% in 2025. Petrol sales alone dropped by over 20%, with big declines reported in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Country-by-Country Performance

Not all countries are moving at the same speed. Four major markets—Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands—make up more than 60% of EU BEV sales, but their results differ:

Germany: BEV registrations soared by 38.4%, cementing its role as Europe’s largest and most dynamic EV market.

Belgium: Grew by 17.6%, showing smaller markets are also key to the transition.

Netherlands: Saw a steady 6.5% increase, reflecting stable but slower progress.

France: Mixed results. While July 2025 saw a 14.8% gain, year-to-date sales are down 4.3% compared to 2024. Subsidy cuts and consumer uncertainty slowed early sales, but demand is expected to recover later in the year with incentives like social leasing, revised bonuses, and the launch of the Renault 5 E-Tech.

Plug-In Hybrids: Southern Europe Drives Growth

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are also playing a role in electrification. Between January and July 2025, 561,190 PHEVs were registered, giving them an 8.6% market share, up from 6.9% last year.

The biggest growth came from southern Europe:

Spain: +94.5%

Italy: +60.3%

Germany: +59.2%

This shows that while BEVs lead the headlines, PHEVs remain important in the transition—especially in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.

Industry Concerns: Regulation vs. Reality

Even with these milestones, the industry warns that EV adoption isn’t moving fast enough. ACEA has said that a 15.6% BEV market share is still “far from where it needs to be.”

ACEA, along with European suppliers’ group CLEPA, has urged EU policymakers to reconsider the strict emissions targets. In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ACEA President and Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius argued that the 2035 zero-emission target—which bans new combustion car sales—may no longer be realistic under current conditions.

This highlights the growing tension between regulatory ambitions and what the market can deliver.

Looking Ahead: Momentum with Challenges

The European car market is at a turning point. EVs are quickly moving into the mainstream, and crossing one million sales in just seven months is a clear sign of progress. But challenges remain:

Hybrids still dominate, showing many buyers are taking an intermediate step before going fully electric.

Combustion cars are shrinking but still make up more than a third of the market.

National differences—such as Germany’s surge vs. France’s slowdown—show the transition is uneven.

For Europe to stay on track, continued government incentives, clear policy direction, and faster infrastructure rollout will be critical.

What’s certain is that Europe’s automotive landscape is shifting faster than ever, and the next few years will decide how quickly the continent can move toward a fully electric future.