- Sales increases were reported across Europe, the U.S., Canada, and China in January.
- Rho Motion reports strong EV demand in the U.S. despite political shifts under Trump.
- Last year, 17 million EVs and PHEVs were delivered globally, setting a new record.
We’re barely six weeks into 2025, but it’s already clear that this year is shaping up to be another strong one for EVs and PHEVs. After a record-breaking 2024, which saw global sales of electrified vehicles soar by 26%, January has kicked off with significant growth, with all major markets showing notable year-over-year gains.
Read: EV And PHEV Sales Surged 26% Globally In 2024, But The Party’s Over In Europe
According to data from RHO Motion, an estimated 1.3 million EVs and Plug-in Hybrids were sold globally last month. That’s an 18% increase over January 2024, though it’s worth noting a sharp 35% drop from December 2024. The dip from December is largely due to a 43% drop in sales from China—the largest market for electrified vehicles. This decline isn’t surprising, given the Chinese New Year holidays, which traditionally slow car sales.
China’s Growth vs. December’s Slump
Despite the overall drop from December, comparing January 2025 to the same month last year tells a much rosier story. In China, approximately 700,000 EVs and PHEVs were sold, a 12% increase over January 2024. The EU, EFTA, and UK region also posted impressive numbers, with around 250,000 vehicles sold—a 21% jump from last year, though down 19% from December.
Germany Gets Back on Track, France Faces a Dip
Germany, Europe’s largest automotive market, has reason to smile this month. After a tough 2024, when sales were dragged down by the removal of several subsidies, the country saw a 40% boost in January sales compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, France isn’t seeing the same success. Sales there dropped by 52% from December, partly due to the introduction of a new weight tax on PHEVs. It seems the French government might be unintentionally driving consumers away from electrified vehicles.
North America: A Mixed Bag
Across the Atlantic, about 130,000 EVs and PHEVs were sold in the U.S. and Canada, marking a 22% increase from January 2024. However, sales are down 28% from December 2024. RHO Motion speculates that the tightening of eligibility for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit could slow the market’s momentum throughout the rest of 2025.
It also seems that, for now, at least, despite the arrival of Donald Trump back in the Oval Office, demand for electric vehicles remains largely unaffected, proof, perhaps, that some trends are simply bigger than politics.
