Electric Cars Record High Market Share
In the first three months of 2025, the market share of pure electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PiHs) has significantly increased worldwide. According to an analysis by the consulting firm PwC, about one in four cars sold was either a pure electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, marking the highest market share ever recorded in a first quarter.
Global Sales Figures
- Pure Electric Vehicles (BEVs): In the first three months of 2025, approximately 2.7 million BEVs were sold worldwide. This represents a 42 percent increase compared to the previous year.
- Plug-in Hybrids (PiHs): About 1.4 million PiHs were sold. Together with the BEVs, this accounts for a total market share of around one-quarter of all cars sold.
- Total Sales: Overall, approximately 16.7 million cars were sold in the first three months of 2025.
Regional Developments
Europe
In Europe, the sales of pure electric vehicles increased by about 28 percent to 574,000 vehicles. Tesla lost ground in the registration statistics.
Germany
In Germany, about 113,000 electric cars were newly registered between January and March 2025, which corresponds to an increase of almost 39 percent compared to the same period last year. The sales of electric cars in Germany had recovered after a dry spell, which also helped German car manufacturers increase their overall sales by 38 percent.
China
China played a central role in the development of pure electric vehicles. Sales there increased by 55 percent to 1.6 million BEVs. However, German car manufacturers lost ground in China, selling one-third fewer cars.
Influencing Factors
The strong increase in electric car sales is supported by several factors:
- Technological Advances: Improved battery technologies and increased vehicle range make electric cars more attractive.
- Regulatory Measures: Many countries have set targets for reducing CO2 emissions, promoting the sales of electric cars.
- Market Development: The growing acceptance and increasing supply of electric cars also contribute to rising demand.
Despite these positive developments, there was a decline in electric car sales in Germany in 2024, caused by the end of government subsidies (environmental bonus). However, many manufacturers have announced they would temporarily take over the subsidies themselves to stabilize sales.