2025 will be the year of electric redemption - what the experts say

According to Rho Motion, worldwide sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids will grow by 18%, to 20 million units

Kia Plug&Charge

By: Riccardo Ciriaco

Published by: Brian Potter

Jan 30, 2025 at 3:42am ET

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After the slowdown, here comes the acceleration. This is what is happening in the market for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, who fell victim to a slowdown in sales in 2024 and, according to experts at Rho Motion, are the drivers of a recovery in 2025.

By December, there will be 20 million plug-in car registrations worldwide, an increase of 18 per cent on last year's figure of 17 million. But, as always, the growth engine will be China.

China unstoppable

According to the analysis, more than 1 in 4 rechargeable cars delivered globally will have a Chinese passport, with 12.9 million sales (+17% by 2024). Eventually, electric and plug-in vehicles could account for more than half of all registrations, thanks in part to renewed purchase incentives. Meanwhile, manufacturers will continue to expand abroad, including in Europe, where BYD will open a factory in Hungary.

Fiat Grande Panda (2024)

Fiat Grande Panda electric

Photo by: Fiat

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Speaking of Europe, in 2025 the continent (EU, UK and EFTA) will finally see a 'plus' sign in front of the numbers, after last year's -3%. There will be 3.5 million BEVs and PHEVs (battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) on the roads, an increase of 15%. This is mainly due to the launch of models costing less than €25,000 (such as the Fiat Grande Panda) and fines imposed on manufacturers who do not reduce the CO2 emissions of new cars.

Delayed Trump effect

What about the Americas, i.e. the US and Canada? Rho Motion predicts that the anti-car policies of re-elected President Trump will not have too much impact in 2025, as much of the planned investment has already been allocated. Instead, the slowdown will be more pronounced in the coming years. The results speak of 2.1 million deliveries (+16%).

China: 12.9 million (+17%)
Europe: 3.5 million (+15%)
America: 2.1 million (+16%)
Rest of the world: 1.5 million
World (total): 20 million (+18%)

Electric car sales in 2024:

How much electric car prices have fallen since 2018

Electric vehicles are growing worldwide, except in Europe

More electric cars will be sold in 2025

Norway: 89 per cent of new cars are electric

Source: Rho Motion

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