Global Sales of Electric Cars Increased by 25 Percent, While Canada Saw a Decline of One Third | Carscoops

      In China, sales for the year-to-date have increased by 25 percent, but there was only a 6 percent rise in August.

      This year, approximately 12.5 million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have been sold globally.

      In North America, sales have risen by only 6 percent compared to the previous year. A decline in sales across Canada has been a contributing factor to North America's sluggish performance.

      The automotive sector's shift toward electrification has been more challenging than anticipated, influenced by changing customer preferences, evolving regulatory requirements, and specific market demands that have prompted car manufacturers to adapt. Although the growth rate of electrified vehicle sales has slowed somewhat, recent data indicates that these vehicles continue to increase in popularity, capturing a larger segment of the overall market.

      In the first eight months of the year, around 12.5 million BEVs and PHEVs have been sold worldwide, marking a notable 25 percent increase compared to last year and driven by high demand in key markets, although North America is trailing.

      A Continent Out Of Step

      As highlighted in the article, the world is advancing towards electric vehicles (EVs) while the United States is lagging behind.

      According to figures from Rho Motion, North America has seen 1.3 million BEVs and PHEVs sold this year, reflecting only a 6 percent rise from the previous year. In contrast, sales in Europe have soared by 31 percent, China has seen a 25 percent increase, and other regions have experienced a 44 percent rise to about 1 million units.

      Canada's performance is pulling down the overall sales in North America. Following the suspension of the iZEV rebate earlier this year, sales of BEVs and PHEVs in Canada have dropped by one-third year-to-date. In contrast, sales in the United States have risen, especially in August, thanks to the impending expiration of the federal EV tax credit on September 30.

      Slowing Momentum

      In August, worldwide sales of BEVs and PHEVs grew by 15 percent compared to the previous year, yet this marked the lowest increase since January. A total of 1.7 million BEVs and PHEVs were sold in August, indicating a 5 percent rise from July.

      China, the largest EV market globally, reflects this slowdown as well. Sales were up 6 percent compared to August 2024, but this increase did not meet expectations. The previous year's figures were inflated due to unusual spikes in July and August, when China expanded its trade-in program for new energy vehicles, making this year's performance appear weaker in comparison.