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Europe's electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a significant surge, with new car registrations increasing by 1.9% to 1.11 million units in May 2025. This growth, though moderate in the overall new car market, is accelerating at a much faster pace for EVs.
The latest data from EV Volumes shows that a total of 847,591 units of plug-in vehicles were registered in Europe during the first quarter of 2025, marking a 20% year-on-year increase in plug-in registrations.
The growth is driven by a surge in both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). BEV sales jumped 27–28% in May 2025, reaching about 17% market share of new car registrations. PHEV sales soared by 46%, surpassing 100,000 units.
Germany and the UK are leading the way in EV adoption, accounting for 20.7% and 20.5% of EV deliveries respectively. France ranks third with an 11.3% share.
Among the BEVs, the Tesla Model Y remains the best-selling electric model, with 30,407 registrations in the first quarter of 2025. Other notable models include Skoda's Elroq, a medium-size SUV with a range of up to 355 miles, and the Ford Puma Gen-e, the brand's first BEV based on a passenger car, which offers a range of around 233 miles.
The Puma Gen-e was one of the vehicles tested on European roads on May 23, 2025, along with the Leapmotor T03, a compact hatchback with a 165-mile range, and Hyundai's Inster BEV, which features a 229-mile range.
However, not all manufacturers are following the same trajectory. Honda has revised its EV strategy, but further details about this revision were not provided. The company has announced that it will reduce its investment in EVs and focus on hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), aiming to have a global EV sales ratio below the previously announced target of 30% by 2030.
In a related development, Northvolt, an EV battery-maker, has filed for bankruptcy and is expected to stop production at its last remaining factory in northern Sweden at the end of June if no buyer is found. The Northvolt plant in Skellefteå has been operating a single production line, manufacturing cells for truck maker Scania since March.
These trends reflect a dynamic shift in the European market, with innovation, policy support, and consumer adaptation reshaping road transport toward electrification. The growing share of plug-in hybrids alongside battery electric cars suggests a transitional phase where practicality and infrastructure constraints continue to influence buying behavior.
[1] EV Volumes, (2025). European Plug-in Vehicle Registrations May 2025. [online] Available at: https://ev-volumes.com/europe/
[2] Autovista24, (2025). European EV Market Shows Surge in Plug-in Registrations. [online] Available at: https://www.autovista24.com/en/news/european-ev-market-shows-surge-in-plug-in-registrations
[3] EV Volumes, (2025). European Plug-in Vehicle Registrations Q1 2025. [online] Available at: https://ev-volumes.com/europe/quarterly/2025-q1/
[4] EV Volumes, (2025). European Plug-in Vehicle Registrations April 2025. [online] Available at: https://ev-volumes.com/europe/monthly/2025-04/
- The surge in Europe's electric vehicle market is not limited to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also saw a significant increase, with sales soaring by 46%.
- In the first quarter of 2025, a total of 847,591 units of plug-in vehicles were registered in Europe, marking a 20% year-on-year increase in plug-in registrations.
- The automotive industry, particularly the segment of electric vehicles (EVs), is undergoing a significant transformation, with lifestyle preferences increasingly leaning towards sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.
- Despite the growth in the electric vehicle market, not all manufacturers are aligning with the trend. Honda, for instance, has announced a shift in strategy, planning to reduce its investment in EVs and focus more on hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
