The number of plug-in vehicles sold globally in August is 1.7 million, according the data revealed by leading EV supply chain research and insights company Rho Motion.
This includes 1.16 million Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and 0.57 million Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
Snapshot electric vehicle sales in YTD 2025 (Jan-Aug 2025) vs YTD 2024 (Jan-Aug 2024), YTD %
● Global: 12.5 million, +25%
● China: 7.6 million, +25%
● Europe: 2.6 million, +31%
● North America: 1.3 million, +6%
● Rest of World: 1.0 million, +44%
Rho Motion Data Manager, Charles Lester, commented:
“Global EV sales have now reached 12.5 million units in the opening eight months of the year. The North American market has reached a record monthly high as consumers in the US accelerate purchases to take advantage of the tax credit before it expires at the end of September. Momentum remains in Europe, underpinned by the emissions legislation, with major automotive countries, Germany and the UK, growing by 45% and 31% YTD, respectively. Y-o-y growth in the Chinese market slowed in July-August 2025, however, this is compared to a period where subsidies for the auto trade-in scheme increased last year, which spurred on EV demand in the country.”
Europe
The European EV market has grown by 31% YTD, with strong momentum in both BEVs PHEVs, up 31% and 30% respectively. Germany and the UK continue strong EV sales with growth of 45% and 31% YTD, respectively. EV sales in Spain have doubled YTD and Italy sales have grown by 41%. France remains down YTD at -9%.
UK sales were down m-o-m by 32%, however, this is a seasonal trend as vehicle sales will increase significantly in September due to new licence plate numbers. Two models were released in the UK for the maximum discount of GBP3,750 (USD5,100), the Ford Puma Gen-E and Ford E-Tourneo Courier.
China’s BYD Seal U is now one of the bestselling PHEVs in Europe, as the OEM continues to expand sales in the region. In September, it released another PHEV in Europe, the Seal 6 PHEV.
North America
North American EV sales (US, Canada, and Mexico) are now up 6% YTD. Growth has increased due to an increase in EV sales in the US in August 2025 as consumers bring forward purchases to take advantage of the tax credit before it ends on 30 September 2025. We also expect September sales to be strong, followed by a large reduction in monthly sales in the final quarter of the year.
OEMs in the US are expected to cut production in Q4 2025. For example, reports suggest VW will pause production of the ID.4 in October 2025 and it is also reported that GM plans to reduce EV production after the tax credit expires.
Canadian sales have fallen by one-third YTD in the opening eight months of the year after the iZEV rebate was paused earlier in the year. Weak EV sales and challenging economic conditions in Canada will make it difficult for OEMs to meet the EV Sales Mandate in 2026. As a result, it is expected that the ZEV mandate will be paused for 2026 pending review.
China
The Chinese EV market grew by 11% m-o-m in August 2025 and by 6% y-o-y, slowing YTD growth to 25%. Y-o-y growth has slowed in the Chinese market over July and August 2025. However, this is compared to July and August 2024 which were high due to an expansion in the trade-in NEV auto scheme.
It is reported that BYD cut its sales target this year from 5.5 million units to 4.6 million units, with 0.8-1.0 million units expected to be sold outside of China.
[source: RHO Motion]
