EV Sales Surge as EU Market Slips

New car registrations in the EU fell by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with March alone showing a marginal 0.2% year-on-year decline, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The drop comes amid ongoing global economic challenges impacting automakers, CE Report quotes BTA

Despite the overall decline, electric vehicle sales showed strong growth. Battery-electric car registrations surged by 23.9% to 412,997 units, making up 15.2% of the total EU market. Major gains were seen in Germany (+38.9%), Belgium (+29.9%), and the Netherlands (+7.9%), while France saw a 6.6% drop.

Hybrid-electric vehicles also saw impressive growth of 20.7%, led by France (+47.5%) and Spain (+36.6%). They now hold a 35.5% market share. Plug-in hybrids grew more modestly by 1.1%, representing 7.6% of the market.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel car sales declined sharply. Petrol registrations dropped 20.6%, with the steepest fall in France (-34.1%). Diesel sales fell 27.1%, reducing its market share to 9.5%.

In Bulgaria, overall car registrations edged up by 0.9%. Battery-electric vehicles rose by 12.5%, and hybrids jumped by nearly 40%, while diesel cars plunged 26.9%.