Global EV Sales Hit 7.2 Million in 2025: China Leads, Europe Rises, North America Stalls

The global electric vehicle (EV) market is surging in 2025, but the growth story is far from uniform. While China is breaking records and Europe is accelerating steadily, North America is showing signs of stagnation.

From January to May 2025, worldwide EV sales have reached 7.2 million units, marking a robust 28% year-over-year increase. May alone recorded 1.6 million EV sales globally. Yet, a closer look reveals that China is the undisputed driver of this boom.

In May, Chinese consumers purchased a record 1 million EVs, up 33% from May 2024 and 10% higher than April 2025. China now makes up 4.4 million of the total 7.2 million global EV sales this year—more than 60% of the global market.

Europe continues to make steady gains, with 1.6 million EVs sold so far in 2025, reflecting a 27% increase. Germany and the UK are at the forefront, growing by 45% and 32%, respectively. Remarkably, Southern Europe is surging, with Spain up 72% and Italy growing 58% year-to-date.

Germany could see even stronger growth as new commercial fleet incentives take effect. Given that fleet purchases represent over half of Germany’s auto market, this could be a game-changer.

Meanwhile, North America is lagging behind. The region has seen just 3% growth, with 700,000 EVs sold through May. The sharpest decline is in Canada, where the suspension of federal subsidies led to a 20% drop in sales. The U.S. market saw only 4% growth, held up by federal tax credits set to expire in the coming years—casting doubt on long-term EV adoption momentum