Automotive News Europe — 2025-05-20
Automotive Industry
Global sales of electrified cars — both battery-electric and plug-in hybrids — rose 28 percent to 17.5 million in 2024, with China driving the growth, according to a report from the International Energy Agency.
Worldwide sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 11 million units, up 16 percent from the 9.5 million sold in 2023, while plug in hybrid (PHEV) sales were up 55 percent to 6.5 million from 4.2 million in 2023.
In the European Union in 2024, 2.2 million BEVs were sold, while 980,000 PHEVs were sold. Sales of BEVs remained flat year over year, while sales of PHEVs declined by 20,000 vehicles.
Higher demand for electrified vehicles in China was driven largely by a surge in PHEV adoption. PHEV sales rose 82 percent to 4.9 million. Sales of BEVs were up 19 percent to 6.4 million.
U.S., U.K. EV markets rose; Germany, France had mixed results
In Europe, Germany’s EV market had mixed results in 2024, with BEV sales dropping to 380,000 units, a 27 percent decline. PHEV sales rose 5.6 percent to 190,000.
French BEV sales hit 300,000 units in 2024, down 3.2 percent. PHEV sales also fell, dropping 6.3 percent to 150,000.
In the U.K, BEV sales rose 23 percent to 380,000. PHEV sales increased 21 percent to 170,000.
Sales of BEVs in the United States reached 1.20 million in 2024, up 9 percent. PHEV sales were up 10 percent, totaling 320,000.
The IEA forecast that electric vehicle sales in 2025 would top 20 million units globally. However, that projection did not distinguish between BEVs and PHEVs.
“Sales were up 35 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2025, with record first-quarter sales in all major markets,” the report said.
Global EV sales forecast to top 40 million by 2030
The IEA projected global sales of electrified vehicles will reach 40 million in 2023 — 28 million BEVs and 12 million PHEVs.
Sales of BEVs in China in 2030 are forecast to reach 13 million, while PHEV volume will reach 8.2 million units.
In Europe, 8 million BEVs are expected to be sold in 2030, while PHEV sales will total 1.5 million.
In the U.S. the IEA forecast that 2.7 million BEVs would be sold, along with 670,000 PHEVs.