Global EV Sales Top 20 Million in 2025 as Electric Cars Reach 25% Share
Updated
Updated · AutoGuide · Jun 15
Global EV Sales Top 20 Million in 2025 as Electric Cars Reach 25% Share
3 articles · Updated · AutoGuide · Jun 15
Summary
More than 20 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in 2025, lifting EVs to roughly one in four new car sales, according to the IEA's Global EV Outlook 2026.
China drove the milestone with over 11 million EV purchases and an electric share above 50% of new vehicle sales, as BYD and other domestic brands kept pressuring Western rivals on price and model rollout.
Europe remained the second-largest market but growth slowed amid policy uncertainty over 2035 combustion-engine phaseout plans, while the United States ranked third despite questions over tax credits, inventory and charging build-out.
Falling battery costs and purchase-price parity in many segments in China and parts of Europe helped widen adoption, with emerging markets and light commercial fleets also expanding faster than expected.
With Americans interested in affordable Chinese EVs, how long can US protectionist policies hold back the global market tide?
As EVs become cheaper than gas cars, is 2026 the last year to sell your combustion vehicle before its value collapses?
With tariffs failing and China dominating, what is Europe's real plan to save its historic auto industry from irrelevance?
One in Four Cars Sold Globally in 2025 Was Electric: The Shifting Landscape of the EV Market
Overview
In 2025, the global electric vehicle (EV) market saw remarkable growth, with sales surpassing 21 million units—more than double the 10 million sold in 2022. This surge pushed EVs to make up 25% of all passenger car sales worldwide, a dramatic rise from just 2% in 2018. China led this expansion, accounting for about 60% of global EV sales and over 13 million units sold, firmly establishing itself as the largest and most influential EV market. The rapid adoption of EVs highlights a global shift toward cleaner transportation and underscores China’s critical role in shaping the industry’s future.