Europe's April BEV sales jump 28pc, petrol slumps

Market: Battery materials
27/05/25

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales across the EU, European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the UK rose 27.8pc on the year last month, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

BEVs accounted for 17.1pc of market share in Europe last month, up from 13.4pc on the year (see graph). Germany recorded the strongest growth in BEV sales among major markets, up 53.5pc, followed by Belgium with a rise of 31.3pc and the Netherlands with 6.4pc. France was the only major market to post a decline, down 4.4pc.

"2025's early sales surge reflects carmaker efforts to meet EU CO2 limits, through attractive new electric models and pricing strategies that Europeans are buying into", said Chris Heron, secretary general of advocacy group E-Mobility. "More Europeans are ready to choose electric, especially in the countries where 2025's new model influx is supported by smart incentives."

Hybrid-electric vehicle registrations rose by 17pc to more than 372,000 units last month, accounting for 34.6pc of the market. Germany, France and Italy led the growth with year-on-year increases of 12.2pc, 37.7pc and 14.2pc, respectively.

Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rose by 31.1pc to 98,000 units last month, with Germany posting a 60.7pc rise in sales to 24,000 — more than double the next largest market, Spain.

Petrol car sales fell by 22.4pc to just over 300,000 units. France saw the sharpest drop at 38.8pc, followed by the UK at 33.6pc and Germany at 26.4pc. Diesel sales across Europe continued their decline, down by 24.7pc last month to 94,000 units.

"While electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining momentum, the overall market remains fragile," an Acea spokesperson said. "The shift away from internal combustion is accelerating, but affordability and infrastructure remain key challenges."

Tesla's market share in the region halved to 0.6pc last month, with registrations falling by 49pc (see graph) and 39pc year-to-date. Other legacy carmakers also struggled on increasing competition, with 14 of the 17 best-selling carmakers posting downturns in sales.

Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor and Germany's BMW Group were the only firms to post notable upticks in sales, up 24.5pc and 7.5pc, respectively.

Total car registrations in Europe edged down by 0.3pc in April to 1.08mn units.

By Chris Welch

Europe April car sales by market share

Europe new car sales by firm, April 25

Europe new car sales by market share, April

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17/06/25

S Korean eco-friendly car sales top 50pc market share

Singapore, 17 June (Argus) — South Korea's domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles exceeded 50pc market share for the first time in May, said the country's trade and industry ministry (Motie), while automotive output and exports fell on the year. Eco-friendly vehicles in South Korea refer to hybrids, battery EVs (BEVs), plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles reached around 73,500 units in May, up by 39pc against a year earlier and by 5.6pc on the month, overtaking internal combustion engine vehicle domestic sales. This was driven by exceptionally strong BEV and hybrid EV domestic sales, which hit around 21,400 units and 50,600 units respectively, up by 60pc and 31pc on the year. The country's total domestic car sales were marginally up by 0.4pc on the year at around 141,900 units. The country's auto output fell by 3.7pc on the year and 6.9pc on the month to near 359,000 units in May, according to Motie. Exports similarly fell by 3.1pc on the year but were marginally up by 0.2pc on the month at about 247,600 units in May, weighed down by lower automobile exports to the US, which dipped by about 27pc owing to impacts from tariffs. But exports in terms of value to EU countries and Asia rose by 29pc and 45pc on the year to $837mn and $683mn respectively. Eco-friendly vehicle exports rose by 10pc on the year to around 75,200 units, driven by higher hybrid EV exports. Hybrid EV exports rose by 25pc to around 48,800 units in May, while BEV exports dipped by 12pc to near 21,100 units. The South Korean government unveiled in April wide-ranging emergency measures to support its automobile industry in the wake of the US' sweeping tariffs. By Joseph Ho South Korea's domestic car sales in 2025 (units) South Korea's car exports in 2025 (units) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Brazil BEV sales hit record high in May

12/06/25

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12/06/25

Brazil BEV sales hit record high in May

Sao Paulo, 12 June (Argus) — Brazilian battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales reached an all-time monthly high of 6,969 units in May because of improving charging infrastructure and greater consumer familiarity with the vehicles, according to the Brazilian EV association ABVE. After four months of below-average BEV sales in Brazil — driven by record-high consumer demand for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) — sales of fully electric models rebounded in May, rising by 35pc from a year earlier. Sequentially, BEV sales surged 48.2pc from April's 4,702 units, ABVE data showed. In May, fully electric vehicle sales grew in all but two states compared with April. The Northeastern region, characterized by less-developed charging infrastructure outside major urban centers, saw the highest monthly growth. Sales rose by 59pc to 1,665 units in May from the prior month, according to data from ABVE. Chinese automaker BYD further increased its dominance in the Brazilian EV market, accounting for 5,596 units sold, more than 80pc of all BEV sales in May. Volvo and fellow Chinese producer Great Wall Motors (GWM) closed out the top three at 514 and 181 units, respectively. BYD does not see this spike as a seasonal or isolated phenomenon, but as a new reality in the Brazilian auto market, which is getting used to EVs, according to the company's senior VP in Brazil, Alexandre Baldy. "We are increasingly growing our dealership network in Brazil at 180 stores," Baldy told Argus on Thursday. "We'll reach 272 stores by the end of the year, solidifying our presence in all regions of the country." Between April and May, BYD opened 15 new dealerships, focusing on more remote regions such as the Midwest and Northeast. ABVE cited, in a release, the scaling of new brands and models, along with improving charging infrastructure, as reasons for the high demand for rechargeable vehicles, such as BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Rechargeable vehicles make up 87pc of all EVs in Brazil, according to ABVE. May was the first full month for two Chinese carmakers that recently debuted in Brazil: Omoda and Jaecoo, both subsidiaries of the Chery Auto Group, which has been in the country since 2009. The brands share dealerships, with Omoda marketing BEVs and Jaecoo aiming for the PHEV market. They sold a combined 398 units, according to Fenabrave, a private body that represents car dealerships in Brazil. Hybrid vehicle sales keep growing HEV sales continued to grow at a strong pace in May, rising by 81pc to 15,160 units over the year. Sequentially, HEV demand nudged up 1.5pc from April's 14,927 units. Brazilian consumers tend to prefer hybrids — plug-in or not — because of the lack of charging infrastructure outside of major urban centers, although PHEVs are the preferred choice because of their flexibility to alternate between a fully electric driving experience and a regular, gas-powered one. May's PHEV sales rose by 95.2pc over the year but fell 4.2pc sequentially from April because of the shift in demand towards BEVs. Total EV sales in Brazil — encompassing BEVs and HEVs — hit 22,101 units in May, a 63.3pc increase over the year and up by 12.7pc from April. EVs make up 13.2pc of Brazil's total car market. HEVs: Fiat tops BYD as best-selling brand In May, Fiat overtook BYD as the best-selling HEV brand in Brazil, marking the first time since July 2024 that the Chinese automaker has lost the top spot in the market. Fiat, which debuted in the HEV market in November 2024, quickly took advantage of its status as a traditional, well-known brand among Brazilian consumers to become a leader in the segment. It sold 4,299 hybrid units in May, besting BYD's 3,702, according to data from Fenabrave. HEV sales for the Italian automaker rose by 9pc in May from the previous month, pushing its market share to 28.3pc. BYD, meanwhile, saw its HEV sales drop by over 1,000 units in May from the prior month, as demand shifted towards its fully electric models, which posted record sales. Despite the monthly decline, BYD's HEV sales were up 137pc on the year. The company held a 24.4pc market share in May — down 7.3 percentage points from 31.7pc in April. Fiat — a Stellantis subsidiary — markets two models of mild-hybrids (MHEVs), a regular internal combustion vehicle with a small 12V or 48V non-plug-in battery that assists the gas-powered engine and improves fuel efficiency. Despite the battery not powering the wheels, MHEVs are eligible for environmental tax exemptions and other governmental benefits just like more traditional EVs. By Pedro Consoli Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Q&A: Used vehicle demand in an electrified world

11/06/25

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11/06/25

Q&A: Used vehicle demand in an electrified world

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Korea's Samsung, Germany's Tesvolt sign battery deal

11/06/25

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Korea's Samsung, Germany's Tesvolt sign battery deal

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Chile touts test of emerging Li technology

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10/06/25

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