The electric car (EV) market grew once again in August 2025, as it does every month. According to data published by Rho Motion, 1.7 million electric vehicles were sold globally during the month. This represents a 5 percent increase compared to July and a 15 percent increase compared to August 2024. Here are the details.
Global Developments in the Electric Car Market
While fully electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for the majority of total sales, with 1.16 million units, sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) reached 570,000 units. This brings the total number of electric vehicles sold in the first eight months of the year to 12.5 million.
The report also included regional dynamics in global sales:
- The North American market reached a monthly record high as consumers accelerated their purchases to take advantage of the tax incentives expiring in the US at the end of September.
- Meanwhile, growth momentum continues in Europe due to emissions regulations. In the first eight months of the year, sales in Germany increased by 45 percent and in the UK by 31 percent.
- While China’s annual growth rate slowed between July and August 2025, this was attributed to the exchange incentives implemented last year, which increased demand.
The innovation didn’t have as significant an impact as expected.
A comparison of sales figures for the first eight months of the year with the same period in 2024 reveals the following picture:
- Global: 12.5 million, up 25 percent
- China: 7.6 million, up 25 percent
- Europe: 2.6 million, up 31 percent
- North America: 1.3 million, up 6 percent
- Rest of the World: 1.0 million, up 44 percent
Europe continues to be one of the fastest-growing markets for sales. Germany and the UK are leading the way, with a 31 percent increase in the first eight months of the year. Sales in Spain doubled, while Italy saw a 41 percent growth. However, sales in France fell by 9 percent. While sales in the UK fell by 32 percent in August compared to July, this is considered a normal seasonal slowdown before the September rollout of new license plate numbers.
In China, the world’s largest EV market, sales increased by 11 percent in August compared to July and 6 percent compared to the previous year. Despite strong growth of 25 percent in the first eight months of the year, the increase was reportedly not as rapid as last year’s due to trade-in incentives. Market leader BYD lowered its 2025 sales target from 5.5 million units to 4.6 million. Approximately 1 million of this target is expected to come from international markets.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
