The number of electric vehicles sold globally in April 2025 was 1.5 million, with 5.6 million sold year-to-date, according the data revealed by the leading EV research house Rho Motion.
The EV market grew by 29% in April 2025 compared to April 2024, and decreased by 12% compared to March 2025. Global EV sales continue to grow by 29% YTD in January – April 2025 vs January to April 2024.
Rho Motion Data Manager, Charles Lester, commented: “Ongoing tariff negotiations are dominating talk in the electric vehicle industry but quietly, domestic manufacturers in China and the EU continue to perform well and grow market share. The EU is certainly the success story for EV sales in 2025 so far, with emissions targets lighting a fire under the industry to accelerate the switch to electric, they have grown the market by a quarter in the first third of the year. In China, that year on year sales increase is even greater at 35%, spurred on by the vehicle trade-in scheme.”
Snapshot electric vehicle sales in Jan-Apr 2025 vs Jan-Apr 2024, YTD %
– Global: 5.6 million, +29%
– China: 3.3 million, +35%
– Europe: 1.2 million, +25%
– North America: 0.6 million, +5%
– Rest of World: 0.5 million, +37%
Europe
The European EV market has grown by 25% in the opening four months of the year, reaching 1.2 million units sold. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sales have grown by 29% year-to-date (ytd) as they continue to outpace Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) sales (16% growth) as manufacturers continue to push fully electric sales in order to hit 2025 emission targets.
Several large auto markets continue to grow at a strong pace, with Germany growing by 42% ytd, Italy by 56% ytd, Spain by 57%, and the UK by 32%. France remains down ytd at -14% due to the reduction in consumer incentives.
There has been a rise in PHEV exports from China to Europe as manufacturers, such as BYD and Chery, look to gain market share in the region and avoid the higher tariffs on BEVs.
North America
The North American EV market (US, Canada, and Mexico) has grown by 5% ytd in 2025, with the Mexican market growing at the fastest rate (almost doubling ytd) due to the rise in Chinese exports to the country.
The USA and UK tariff agreement resulted in a 10% tariff for a maximum of 100,000 UK cars, with Jaguar Land Rover the main manufacturer that exports cars from the UK to the USA.
However, only a small number of these vehicles are EV (~5%). The second trade deal was agreed over the weekend between the US and China. Reciprocal tariffs have been reduced for a 90-day period. However, tariffs for cars and parts remain in place.
China
The Chinese market increased by 35% in Jan-Apr 2025 compared to the same period last year. EV sales declined by -9% in April 2025 compared to March 2025, however, sales increased by 32% compared to April 2024. The US and China announced a reduction in tariffs, including eliminating some tariffs and suspending others for 90 days.
The large tariffs previously imposed by President Biden for electric vehicles remain in place. However, these tariffs will not have an impact as there are no major EV exports from China to the US, rather, it acts as a safeguard to prevent Chinese OEMs entering the US market.
