Global EV Sales Hit 20.7 Million, Up 20% in 2025

The world just bought more electric vehicles in one year than ever before, and the numbers show clean transportation isn't slowing down.

Global EV sales reached 20.7 million units in 2025, marking a 20% jump from the previous year, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. December alone saw 2.1 million electric cars roll off lots, capping a year that reshaped expectations about how quickly drivers are making the switch.

Europe shocked the industry by becoming the fastest growing major market with 4.3 million EVs sold, a 33% surge that outpaced even China's massive numbers. Manufacturers had already prepared for stricter 2025 regulations, but the response exceeded forecasts as drivers across the continent embraced electric options.

China remained the world's largest EV market with 12.9 million sales, growing 17% despite intense domestic price competition. That competition actually became a gift to the rest of the world as Chinese manufacturers looked beyond their borders, making EVs more accessible globally.

The "Rest of World" category delivered the year's most exciting surprise with 48% growth and 1.7 million sales. Countries outside the traditional auto markets are leapfrogging straight to electric, proving clean transportation isn't just for wealthy nations.

North America faced headwinds as policy changes created uncertainty, with sales dipping 4% to 1.8 million units. Still, nearly two million Americans and Canadians chose electric in 2025, showing strong underlying demand.

The Ripple Effect

These 20.7 million electric vehicles represent more than impressive sales figures. They're 20.7 million families breathing cleaner air, 20.7 million fewer cars pumping emissions into our atmosphere, and 20.7 million votes of confidence in a sustainable future.

The resilience surprised even industry experts. "This time last year few could have predicted the EV market upset that occurred," said Charles Lester, Data Manager at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. The landscape heading into 2026 looks virtually unrecognizable compared to just 12 months ago.

Manufacturers are now racing to meet 2027 deadlines in Europe while expanding into emerging markets that are hungry for clean transportation. The competition is driving innovation faster and prices lower, making electric vehicles accessible to more families every month.

One in every five new cars sold globally in 2025 was electric, a threshold that seemed distant just a few years ago.