The number of electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Europe increased by 34% in January 2025. A total of 124,341 EVs were delivered. The Netherlands, at 28.2%, is one of the markets in which demand rose fastest.
This is according to figures shared by industry association European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). In both Germany (+53.5%), Belgium (37.2%) and the Netherlands (+28.2%), demand for EVs rose sharply. Together, the three markets account for 64% of all EVs sold. EVs now account for 15% of total car sales in the European Union (EU).
More demand for HEVs
Besides demand for EVs, demand for hybrid vehicles (HEVs) also increased to 290,014 units. 18.4% more hybrid vehicles were delivered in January compared to a year earlier. Sales rose particularly sharply in France (+52.2%), followed by Spain (+23.5%) and Germany (+13.7%).
Incidentally, demand for HEVs in the Netherlands actually fell by 5.4%. HEVs now account for 34.9% of the total market EU-wide.
Demand for PHEVs declines
Demand for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) actually fell by 8.5% to 61,406 units. In Belgium (-66.6%) and France (-54%) in particular, demand fell sharply. PHEVs account for 7.4% of total car sales in the EU.
In the Netherlands, sales of PHEVs actually increased by 8.2%; a total of 5,401 PHEVs were registered in January.
Demand for petrol cars declines further
Sales of petrol and diesel vehicles fell. The petrol car market shrank by 18.9%, with all major European markets showing contraction. France saw the sharpest decline in demand at 28.2%, followed by Germany (-23.7%) and Italy (-17%). Dutch demand even fell by 37%. A total of 244,763 petrol vehicles were registered in January. This makes petrol cars account for 29.4% of total car sales.
Demand for diesel-powered cars is also declining. The market has shrunk by 27%. Diesel cars account for 10% of the total market in January 2025. Incidentally, demand in the Netherlands increased by 2.7%, although in absolute numbers these are very small numbers. In the Netherlands, 270 diesel cars were registered in January.
Volkswagen is largest manufacturer
Looking at sales figures of the various car manufacturers, Volkswagen Group has the largest market share with 217,769 registered vehicles. A substantial part of this is due to the Volkswagen brand, with 83,511 vehicles sold. Skoda follows with 54,959 units and Audi with 43,161 units.
Stellantis in second position with 162,705 vehicles sold in January. Peugeot is the biggest brand within Stellantis with 50,806 cars sold, followed by Citroën (30,008) and Fiat (28,207). Renault Group is in third position with 86,033 vehicles sold. In this, Dacia is the best-selling brand with 49,071 sold, followed by Renault (36,798).
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
