
Global Sales of EV and PHEV Rise 18% in January | Carscoops
While sales in key markets have decreased from a robust December, they show substantial improvement compared to a year ago.
7 hours ago
By Brad Anderson
Sales gains were recorded across Europe, the U.S., Canada, and China in January.
Rho Motion highlights strong demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. despite political changes under Trump.
In 2024, a total of 17 million electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were delivered worldwide, marking a new high.
We’re just over six weeks into 2025, but it is already evident that this year is on track to be another successful one for EVs and PHEVs. Following a record-setting 2024, which saw global sales of electrified vehicles rise by 26%, January has started out with substantial growth, with all major markets experiencing noticeable year-over-year increases.
Read: EV And PHEV Sales Surged 26% Globally In 2024, But The Party’s Over In Europe
As per data from RHO Motion, approximately 1.3 million EVs and PHEVs were sold worldwide last month. This represents an 18% rise from January 2024, although it reflects a sharp 35% decrease from December 2024. The decline from December can be attributed to a 43% drop in sales from China, the leading market for electrified vehicles. This downturn is not unexpected, considering the Chinese New Year holidays, which typically dampen car sales.
China’s Growth vs. December’s Decline
Despite the overall decline from December, comparing January 2025 to the same month last year presents a much more favorable picture. In China, around 700,000 EVs and PHEVs were sold, showing a 12% increase over January 2024. The EU, EFTA, and UK regions also posted strong figures, with approximately 250,000 vehicles sold—a 21% rise from last year, though down 19% from December.
Germany Recovers, France Experiences a Drop
Germany, the largest automotive market in Europe, has reasons to be optimistic this month. Following a challenging 2024, when sales were affected by the elimination of multiple incentives, the country recorded a 40% increase in January sales compared to the prior year.
Conversely, France is not sharing in the same success. Sales there fell by 52% from December, partly due to the implementation of a new weight tax on PHEVs. It seems the French government may inadvertently be discouraging consumers from choosing electrified vehicles.
North America: A Mixed Picture
On the other side of the Atlantic, around 130,000 EVs and PHEVs were sold in the U.S. and Canada, reflecting a 22% increase from January 2024. However, sales dropped by 28% from December 2024. RHO Motion suggests that the stricter requirements for qualifying for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit may impede the market's momentum for the rest of 2025.
It also appears that, for now, despite Donald Trump's return to the White House, demand for electric vehicles remains largely unaffected, underscoring that some trends transcend political considerations.



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Global Sales of EV and PHEV Rise 18% in January | Carscoops
Although sales declined in significant markets compared to a robust December, they have greatly improved in comparison to the same time last year.