Workers from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company NIO do final quality control inspections on the production line at the companys manufacturing hub on January 17, 2025 in Hefei, China. China produces and exports more electric vehicles than any other country, leading the global electric vehicle (EV) market with production capacity that now outpaces domestic sales. Photo Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Environment The World2025 Sees Global Growth in Electric Vehicles
Global electric vehicle sales increased by 28% from January to May 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
“The European region is showing healthy signs of electrification, especially in Spain and Italy. At this stage in the EV adoption curve, incentives and policies are having a major impact […] [such as] in Germany where the launch of new commercial tax breaks will likely start boosting sales in the coming months,” explains Charles Lester, Rho Motion Data Manager.
Globally, electric vehicle sales increased in 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year. China alone has seen 4.4 million electric vehicles sold, representing a 33% increase in sales. Europe has sold 1.6 million, representing a 27% increase. North America has sold just under a million units, marking a 3% growth, while the rest of the world has sold about half a million units, representing a 36% increase. On average, electric vehicle sales have increased by 28% so far in 2025. The study, completed by Rho Motion – the leading electric vehicle research house – emphasizes the importance of policies and initatives that either push people toward – or away from – electric vehicles, such as the EV sale decrease that has been seen in Canada due to a pause in government support, and the increase that has been seen in Germany thanks to the launch of a tax break program.
