Global electric vehicle (EV) sales continued their upward trajectory in 2025, reaching a total of 18.5 million units year-to-date by November, marking a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. In November alone, 2.0 million EVs were sold globally, demonstrating strong and sustained demand across key markets. Europe led the growth with a 36% year-on-year increase in November, driven by new government incentives and a wider availability of EV models. France and Italy saw a resurgence in sales thanks to renewed national support programs, while the UK expanded its subsidy list to include five additional models, further encouraging consumer adoption.
In Europe, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for a 35% increase in sales, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) grew by 39% in November. The region’s year-to-date sales reached 3.8 million units, up 33% from the same period in 2024. In France, EV sales finally posted a positive year-to-date figure, increasing by 1% in November after a slow year due to subsidy cuts earlier in 2025. Major automakers such as Volkswagen Group and Renault contributed to this growth, supported by a wider range of available models and the national ‘leasing social’ program aimed at helping lower-income households transition to EVs. Italy recorded nearly 25,000 EV sales in November, fueled by a new incentive program allocating EUR 597.3 million to replace older internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, targeting around 39,000 cars. The UK added five more EV models to its GBP 3,750 subsidy scheme, including the Nissan Leaf, MINI Countryman, Renault 4, Renault 5, and Alpine A290, encouraging further adoption.
In North America, overall EV sales in the United States showed some recovery in November after a sharp drop in October following the end of federal EV tax credits on September 30, 2025. Month-on-month sales increased for several manufacturers, including Kia, Hyundai, Honda, and Subaru, but remained significantly lower than when the tax credit was in place. In early December, the US formally adjusted the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, reducing the fleetwide target to approximately 34.5 mpg by 2031, down from the previous 50.4 mpg target. This change allows manufacturers to meet requirements through ICE vehicles, reducing the immediate pressure to transition to EVs. Automakers like Stellantis are continuing to invest in ICE vehicle production, highlighting a slower shift toward electrification in the US market.
China continues to dominate the global EV market, with year-to-date sales of 11.6 million units, reflecting a 19% increase over the same period in 2024. Despite slower growth in November, up 3% year-on-year and 4% month-on-month, China remains the largest EV market globally. Chinese EV maker BYD achieved a record in reported exports, shipping 131,935 units abroad in November, surpassing the previous record of 90,000 units set in June 2025. BYD’s sales in Europe grew more than fourfold in 2025, reaching around 200,000 units, and also saw significant growth in Southeast Asia and South America, illustrating the expanding global reach of Chinese EV manufacturers.
Overall, the global EV market shows resilience, supported by expanding model ranges, government incentives, and growing consumer acceptance. Europe’s strong growth, China’s market leadership, and emerging trends in other regions indicate that the shift toward electrification continues to gain momentum despite regulatory and policy challenges in certain countries. The year-to-date figures for 2025 highlight the ongoing global transition to electric mobility, reflecting both market maturity in established regions and emerging opportunities for growth worldwide.
