Electric car being charged at a charging station in snowy conditions, showing the snow-covered rear and a charging plug inserted into the charging port.

Electric Vehicle Sales Review Q4-2025

European EV registrations surge with double-digit growth

Harald Wimmer and Dr. Jörn Neuhausen

Viewpoint | January 28, 2026 |

1 Top findings

Top findings

Global BEV sales surpassed 4 million in Q4 2025 for the first time, with over 20% of vehicles sold globally being BEVs and full-year growth of 30%
China powered global growth at 16% in Q4, as affordable BEVs surged and PHEVs declined 12%
Europe's top five markets surged 41% in Q4, with Germany rebounding 56% and Spain and Italy surging 77% and 44%
US BEV sales fell 31% YoY in Q4 following the termination of tax credits, after Q3 consumers rushed to capture incentives before policy changes

2 Introduction

More than four million BEVs sold in fourth quarter

In Q4 2025, global BEV sales crossed the four million milestone for the first time across all 40 analyzed markets – a 17% increase year-over-year. For the second consecutive quarter, BEVs accounted for over 20% of all vehicles sold globally. Looking at the full year, BEV sales surged 30% in 2025.

Given the sheer size of the market, BEV sales in China heavily influenced the positive global performance, increasing by 16% YoY in Q4 and 33% over the course of 2025 relative to the previous year. However, after several years of rapid growth, PHEV sales in China fell for the second successive quarter, down 12% YoY in Q4.

Europe’s BEV market also enjoyed strong growth. Combined sales in the top five European markets grew by 41% in Q4 2025 versus Q4 2024. The German BEV market continued its recent robust performance, with YoY growth of 56% in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Spain and Italy – markets that had been slow to embrace EVs – came alive in 2025, surging 77% and 44% respectively over the course of the year.

3 Data

Electric vehicle sales data

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK
Sales in the top five European markets grew by 41% in the fourth quarter of 2025 in comparison with the same period in 2024. As a result, one in five vehicles (20%) sold in these markets in Q4 were BEVs, the highest recorded quarterly BEV market share for the region.

The German BEV market continued to enjoy strong growth, up by 56% YoY in the fourth quarter to reach a market share of 22%, the highest level for more than two years. French BEV sales followed a similar course, up by 49% in Q4 2025 vs. Q4 2024 to register a market share of 25%, by some distance the country’s highest ever BEV market share. The UK attained the same landmark, after posting a market share of 28% for the quarter.

PHEV sales in the top five markets increased by 40% YoY in Q4, boosted not least by growth of more than 100% in both Spain and Italy. France was the exception in the generally rosy PHEV picture, with sales declining YoY by 24% in Q4. In contrast to the growth in EV sales, ICE registrations fell by 18% in the top five markets combined in the fourth quarter relative to the same period in 2024.

Other European markets
Norway boasted the strongest BEV growth among the other European markets in Q4, up by 93% vs. Q4 2024. The BEV market share in Denmark (75%) and the Netherlands (53%) were also dominant.

China
BEV sales grew by 16% year-on-year in Q4 2025, as quarterly registrations neared the three million mark. More than one in three vehicles (36%) sold in this quarter were BEVs. Sales of the other powertrain categories declined. After extremely strong growth in recent years, the PHEV market suffered in the second half of 2025, ending with a 12% YoY decline in sales in the fourth quarter. Total EV market share for the quarter stands at 59%. The ICE market continues its steady decline, with sales down by 4% over the course of 2025.

Japan
BEV sales grew by 37% in the fourth quarter compared to the same in 2024, ending a positive year on another high note. BEV market share grew from 9% to 13% over the course of 2025. In 2025, hybrids constituted over one-third of all car sales, achieving a market share of 34%.

South Korea
The Japanese EV market continues to be dominated by the sale of hybrids, with a market share of 60% over the course of 2025. Although BEV sales did grow by 17% in 2025, market share for the segment was still below 2%.

The termination of EV tax credits at the end of September 2025 had a significant impact on sales in Q4. Whereas BEV sales had increased 23% year-on-year in the third quarter of the year as consumers hurried to take advantage of the incentive, they fell by 31% YoY in Q4. Despite this volatility, the BEV market share for 2025 remained nearly unchanged from the previous year, holding steady at just under 8%.

PHEV sales also suffered in the fourth quarter due to the ending of tax credits, similarly down by a third year on year. The PHEV market share for the full year 2025 was below 2%. The hybrid market, on the other hand, continued its steady growth during 2025, climbing to a record annual market share of 13%.