The global automotive industry is accelerating its shift toward electric mobility, driven by environmental pressures, government regulation and rapidly changing consumer behavior.
Data from 2025 confirms that this transition is no longer gradual, but structural, with electric and hybrid vehicle sales reaching unprecedented levels worldwide.
According to figures released by market research firm Benchmark Minerals, global sales of vehicles equipped with electric power systems hit a new record in 2025, surpassing 20 million units for the first time. Total sales reached 20.7 million vehicles, representing a 20 percent increase compared with the previous year.
The surge was led primarily by fully electric vehicles, which recorded a 24 percent rise in sales to 13.6 million units worldwide. Plug-in hybrid vehicles also posted strong growth, with sales increasing by 13 percent to nearly 7 million units, highlighting continued demand for transitional technologies in markets still developing charging infrastructure.
While global momentum remains strong, growth rates vary significantly by region. Europe emerged as one of the leading drivers of the electric transition, with combined sales of electric and hybrid vehicles reaching 4.3 million units in 2025. This marked an annual increase of nearly 33 percent, underlining the continent’s central role in the shift toward low-emission transport.
Registrations of fully electric vehicles in Europe alone climbed to 2.9 million units, up by 700,000 compared with 2024 and an increase of 2.2 million vehicles compared with 2020. The figures reflect an unprecedented acceleration in electric vehicle adoption across the region.
Europe’s strong performance has been fueled by several factors, most notably strict European Union emissions targets imposed on car manufacturers. Although some of these rules may be partially eased in the future, they have already reshaped production strategies across the industry. Financial incentives introduced by European governments to encourage electric vehicle purchases have also played a decisive role in stimulating demand.
The latest data confirms that electric mobility is no longer a niche option but a strategic direction for the global automotive sector. However, regional disparities in growth highlight ongoing challenges related to charging infrastructure, public policy frameworks and consumer purchasing power.
These factors are expected to shape the pace and balance of the electric transition in the years ahead, as governments and manufacturers compete to define the future of transport.
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