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Europe is experiencing an electric vehicle surge, with December marking the first time electric car sales outpaced those of conventional gasoline vehicles. This isn’t a fleeting trend; global electric vehicle sales jumped a remarkable 20% in 2025, reaching 20.7 million units. However, this growth is unevenly distributed, with North America lagging behind.
- Global electric vehicle sales increased by 20% in 2025, reaching 20.7 million units.
- Europe led the charge with a 33% increase in electric vehicle sales, while North America saw a 4% decline.
- The European Union is implementing stricter emission standards, aiming for a 90% reduction by 2030.
- Electric vehicles now hold a 26.3% market share in Europe, surpassing gasoline vehicles at 21.7%.
The persistent belief that internal combustion engines will remain dominant hinges on one key factor: resistance from North American authorities, particularly the governance in the United States, which is slowing down the energy transition within the North American automotive sector. Analysts at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reported earlier in January that, as a result, electric vehicle sales will grow in nearly every region worldwide except North America in 2025.
According to figures released by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, 20.7 million electric vehicles were sold globally in 2025, a 20% increase compared to 2024. Europe experienced a robust 33% increase, while China saw a 17% rise. Conversely, electric vehicle sales in North America decreased by 4%, while the rest of the world witnessed a ample 48% increase.
Europe is currently the most dynamic market, according to the Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report. “We do not expect the same growth in 2026, while manufacturers will want to concentrate their efforts for 2027,” the year the european Union has set enterprising decarbonization targets for its light vehicle market.
The European Union intends to tighten vehicle exhaust emission standards,aiming for a 90% reduction in polluting emissions from light vehicles sold within its territory by 2030. New targets will require manufacturers to sell at least 25% electric cars and 17% electric small trucks annually by 2029.
European motorists can also anticipate a wave of affordable electric vehicles priced under 25,000 euros ($40,000) arriving in 2027.
Meanwhile, existing electric vehicles ended 2025 on a high note. In December,their market share reached 22.6%, exceeding that of gasoline vehicles for the first time in the European market. Hybrid engines still lead, though, with a 34.5% market share.
European “Tipping Point”
When data from non-EU countries within the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), along with the United Kingdom, are included, electric vehicles achieved a 26.3% market share across the continent at the end of 2025, compared to 21.7% for gasoline-only vehicles.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reports that electric vehicles have become more popular than gasoline vehicles in at least 30 European countries.
ACEA estimates that 2025 could represent a pivotal moment in the competition between electric and gasoline vehicles. Throughout the year, European sales of electric vehicles surpassed those of gasoline-powered vehicles for nine out of twelve months.
Gasoline vehicle sales have been declining since 2018, with electrified vehicles driving all sales growth in Europe and Canada.
Despite this growth, total new vehicle sales in Europe have not
