Rho Motion, a leading research firm in the electric vehicle sector, reported that global electric vehicle (EV) sales reached 1.5 million units in April 2025, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) total to 5.6 million units. This marks a 29% increase in EV sales compared to April 2024, although there was a 12% decrease from March 2025. Overall, EV sales have grown by 29% YTD from January to April 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Charles Lester, Data Manager at Rho Motion, stated, “Ongoing tariff negotiations are dominating talk in the electric vehicle industry but quietly, domestic manufacturers in China and the EU continue to perform well and grow market share. The EU is certainly the success story for EV sales in 2025 so far, with emissions targets lighting a fire under the industry to accelerate the switch to electric, they have grown the market by a quarter in the first third of the year. In China, that year on year sales increase is even greater at 35%, spurred on by the vehicle trade-in scheme.”
Snapshot electric vehicle sales in Jan-Apr 2025 vs Jan-Apr 2024, YTD %
- Global: 5.6 million units, up 29%
- China: 3.3 million units, up 35%
- Europe: 1.2 million units, up 25%
- North America: 0.6 million units, up 5%
- Rest of World: 0.5 million units, up 37%
In Europe, the EV market increased by 25% during the first four months of 2025, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) growing by 29% YTD, surpassing the 16% growth in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). Major automotive markets such as Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK saw significant growth rates, while France experienced a 14% decline due to reduced consumer incentives. Additionally, there has been an increase in PHEV exports from China to Europe as manufacturers like BYD and Chery seek to expand their market presence while avoiding higher BEV tariffs.
The North American EV market, encompassing the United States, Canada, and Mexico, grew by 5% YTD in 2025. Mexico led this growth, nearly doubling YTD, driven by increased Chinese exports. A tariff agreement between the US and UK resulted in a 10% tariff on up to 100,000 UK vehicles, primarily affecting Jaguar Land Rover’s exports, although only about 5% of these are EVs. A recent trade deal between the US and China reduced reciprocal tariffs for a 90-day period, though tariffs on cars and parts remain.
China’s EV market saw a 35% increase in sales from January to April 2025 compared to the previous year. Although April sales declined by 9% from March 2025, they were still up 32% year-over-year. The recent US-China tariff reductions include eliminating some tariffs and suspending others for 90 days. However, existing tariffs imposed by President Biden on electric vehicles remain, though they have not significantly impacted Chinese EV exports to the US, serving more as a deterrent to Chinese OEMs entering the US market.
Source: Rho Motion
