In April, global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by 29% year-on-year, reaching 1.5 million units. Despite trade tensions and economic uncertainties, sales in China and Europe showed consistent growth, while North America saw its first decline since September, with a 5.6% drop in sales. The increase in global sales signals positive momentum for the electric vehicle (EV) market, though challenges persist in some regions.
In Europe, legacy automakers, which are transitioning towards less polluting vehicles to meet CO2 emission targets set by the European Union, outperformed Tesla in terms of sales growth. While Tesla continued to lose market share, particularly ahead of a planned revamp of its Model Y, European manufacturers saw strong demand for their EV offerings. The rise in sales comes amid growing concerns about stricter emissions regulations and increasing competition in the EV market.
In China, local EV manufacturers experienced a surge in sales of battery-electric vehicles, growing by 32% from the same month in 2024, with sales reaching 0.9 million units. The country also saw a strong demand for plug-in hybrids abroad, particularly in Europe, as manufacturers respond to changing global market needs. China’s government has extended its auto trade-in subsidies into 2025, as part of an expanded consumer trade-in scheme to boost EV sales and support economic growth.
However, North America’s EV market faced challenges, with sales declining by 5.6% to 0.1 million vehicles. The impact of trade tariffs, particularly the 25% import tariff on vehicles in the U.S., played a role in the slower growth, with several automakers adjusting their outlooks for the market in 2025. The policies introduced by former President Donald Trump concerning emissions standards and the uncertainty around tariffs also contributed to the stagnation in North American sales. Despite this, there are hopes that new trade deals, particularly with the U.K. and China, will have a positive effect on the industry, though their impact on EV sales remains limited.
Sales in other regions, particularly in the rest of the world, rose significantly by 50%, with plug-in hybrids showing almost double the growth year-to-date, largely driven by increased Chinese exports. Governments globally are implementing policies to promote EV adoption, but concerns about slowing car markets and trade tensions could result in plant closures and job losses.
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