Global electric vehicle (EV) sales rose 29.4% year-over-year to 9.29 million units in the first half of 2025, driven by strong momentum in China, Europe, and the US. The three markets delivered 8.4 million units, accounting for 90.4% of the total. China retained its position as the world's largest EV market and the sector's key growth driver.
DIGITIMES forecasts global EV sales will surpass 20 million units in 2025, lifting market penetration to about 23%. China is set to contribute over 14 million units and Europe around 3.8 million, while the US faces slower adoption due to tighter policy measures.
EV sales and yearly growth rate by major countries/regions, 1H25 (unit: 1,000 vehicles/%) | |||
Country/Region | 1H24 | 1H25 | YoY (%) |
China | 4,339 | 5,878 | 35.50% |
Europe | 1,441 | 1,782 | 23.60% |
United States | 722 | 737 | 2.10% |
Others | 678 | 895 | 32.00% |
Global Total | 7,181 | 9,292 | 29.40% |
Source: National automobile associations, compiled by DIGITIMES, September 2025
China's EV sales jumped 35.5% to 5.88 million units in the first half of 2025, capturing more than 63% of the global total and pushing penetration to 46.8%. Demand was boosted by government trade-in subsidies and mass adoption of L2/L2+ driver-assistance systems in lower-cost models.
Europe recorded 1.78 million EV sales in the first half, a 23.6% increase from a year earlier, raising penetration from 21% to 26.1%. Growth was strongest in Spain (+83%), Germany (+42%), Italy (+41%), and the UK (+36%). The surge followed the EU's tighter 2025 WLTP carbon standard of 93.6g/km, 15% below 2021 levels, which accelerated automakers' electrification plans.
The US market stalled, with first-half EV sales rising only 2.1% to 740,000 units and penetration flat at 9.1%. A 10% increase in the first quarter reversed to a 5% decline in the second, after the Trump administration cut subsidies for EVs and charging stations. Automakers adopted more cautious strategies as inflation weighed on consumer demand.
Emerging markets sold around 900,000 EVs in the first half, exceeding US volumes and marking 32% year-over-year growth. Southeast Asia, Latin America, and India posted the strongest momentum, highlighting a shift in adoption from mature economies to faster-growing regions.
While US growth falters, resilient demand in China and stricter EU emissions policies are expected to sustain global EV sales growth through 2025.
Article edited by Jack Wu
