Electric Cars Experience Market Resurgence in Europe
Europe, Tuesday, 25 February 2025.
Europe sees a revival in electric car demand, with January figures showing a 15% market share, reflecting a 34% increase from the previous year and driven by sustainability efforts.
Significant Market Growth
In a surprising turn of events, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have captured a 15% market share in January 2025, marking a substantial increase from 10.9% in January 2024 [1]. This 34% year-over-year growth comes despite an overall decline of 2.6% in total EU car registrations, with 124,341 BEV units sold [1]. The surge in electric vehicle adoption demonstrates resilience in the face of previous market challenges, including the removal of government subsidies [2].
German Market Leads Recovery
Germany has emerged as a particularly strong performer, with electric vehicle sales surging by 53.3% compared to the previous year [2]. This remarkable recovery is especially noteworthy given that Germany’s withdrawal of EV subsidies was previously considered a major factor in the market’s 2024 slowdown. Other significant growth markets include Belgium, with a 37.2% increase, and the Netherlands, showing 28.2% growth [2]. However, France experienced a decline in electric vehicle sales during this period [2].
Shifting Market Dynamics
The rise in electric vehicle adoption has coincided with a decline in traditional fuel vehicles. Petrol vehicle registrations dropped significantly by 18.9%, reducing their market share to 29.4% from 35.4% a year ago [1]. Meanwhile, hybrid-electric vehicles have gained prominence, commanding 34.9% of the market with 290,014 units sold in January 2025 [1]. This shift represents a broader trend toward electrified mobility, with diesel registrations falling by 27% to occupy just 10% of the market [1].
Infrastructure Challenges
Despite the growing adoption, charging infrastructure remains a critical concern for the European market. The European Commission has set an ambitious target of 3.5 million charging points by 2030, though industry experts at ACEA estimate the actual requirement at 8.8 million to support the projected EV fleet [6]. Currently, only 13.5% of charging points in the EU are fast chargers (>22 kW), with Germany, France, and the Netherlands accounting for approximately 61% of all public charging points [6]. This uneven distribution presents a significant challenge for widespread EV adoption across the continent.