by Brad Anderson
- EV and PHEV sales climbed significantly in China and Europe.
- Roughly 18.5 million electrified vehicles were sold this year.
- North America’s EV market declined despite global momentum.
While the headlines might suggest an EV apocalypse is underway, with manufacturers pulling back and investments drying up, the reality is a bit more complicated. Sure, some markets are cooling and certain automakers are reconsidering their timelines, but the global picture paints a different story.
At least for now. The coming months could easily tip the scale again, especially in regions where policy and consumer behavior tend to swing fast.
Read: More Buyers Are Ditching EVs And Choosing Gas Again
New data shows that worldwide sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have actually grown this year, bolstered by steady demand in China and across Europe.
According to figures from Rho Motion, approximately 18.5 million EVs and PHEVs have been sold globally between January and November 2025, representing a 21 percent increase from last year.
Where the Growth Is
Unsurprisingly, China leads the way with reported sales of 11.6 million, a 19 percent rise from the same period in 2024. While Europe remains a far smaller market, with 3.8 million EVs and PHEVs finding new homes, it experienced a higher growth rate with sales jumping 33 percent.
A closer look at Europe reveals that 35 percent more BEVs have been sold this year, and 39 percent extra PHEVs have been delivered. Contributing to this growth was France, where for the first time this year, year-to-date sales rose in November, although only by 1 percent.
Italy also experienced a strong November with EV and PHEV sales jump to 25,000 units after an incentive program was launched, encouraging locals to sell their old ICE models.
Still, the trajectory in Europe could change direction quickly. On Tuesday, the European Commission revealed plans to drop the proposed 2035 ban on new combustion-engine vehicle sales, a reversal largely driven by industry lobbying.
What About America?
Things couldn’t be anymore different in North America, in particular in the US. While EV sales increased in November compared to October, the first month without the federal EV tax credit, they are still far below what they were when the $7,500 credit was still available.
Data from Rho Motion notes that sales in North America have fallen 1 percent this year, meaning it’s quickly turned into a global laggard when it comes to global EV adoption.
Following President Trump’s decision to rollback CAFE fuel economy standards, sales of EVs and PHEVs are unlike to grow at a significant rate, and may ultimately decline.
In contrast, the rest of the world, grouped together in the dataset, logged 1.5 million EV and PHEV sales this year, up 48 percent compared to 2024. While the volumes are smaller, the growth suggests that in many regions, electrification is still gaining ground, just not always where the spotlight is aimed.