Europe’s EV Boom, by Country

More than 20 million electric cars were sold in 2025, up around 20% year over year, pushing the worldwide EV share of new car sales to 25% for the first time, one in four cars sold.

China was the anchor of that growth: electric vehicles (so-called “New Energy Vehicles”) accounted for nearly 55% of all car sales domestically, and Chinese automakers supplied ~60% of global electric car sales last year.

The European market, where EVs are becoming mainstream

According to data from the International Energy Agency, EV sales in Europe rose more than 30% last year, accounting for 28% of all sales.

Norway is approaching full electrification of new vehicle sales, with EVs representing 97% of new vehicles sold. The country has spent decades mastering the policies: stacking tax exemptions, toll and ferry discounts, and bus-lane access for electric cars paired with some of Europe's most expensive taxes on fossil fuels that helped make EVs cheaper to buy and run than gas or diesel cars for most buyers.

But in number of EVs sold, the large markets of Germany, the UK and France dud much of the heavy lifting, together accounting for more than 1.3 million electric vehicles sold last year.

Part of the electrified transport boost has come from the growth of Chinese EV makers. The combined market share of Chinese brands across 18 Western European countries hit a record 14.2% in the first five months, up from 5.7% a year earlier.

Companies like BYD, Chery and Leapmotor are shifting from international exports to local production to supply Europe. Large plants include BYD in Hungary, Geely’s stake in a Ford plant in Spain and Leapmotor’s joint venture with Stellantis.

The Iran boost: Europe was hit hard following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, hit with hit oil, gas and diesel prices across the continent. The high price for fossil fuels has driven a way of electrification for energy security, something that has driven higher EV adoption.

EV sales in the EU rose 40.5% in the first half of 2026, compared to the same period last year.