Has a new leader emerged in Europe’s BEV market?
20 January 2026
While Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) market had a new leader in November, the continent’s growth trajectory remained unchanged.
EV sales, including BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), enjoyed year-on-year growth of 29.3% from January to November 2025. A total of 3,442,316 new models were delivered in this timeframe, according to EV Volumes.
In November alone, sales were up 36.3% to 367,617 units. This was nearly identical to October’s year-on-year improvement of 36.6%. This relatively stable period for EV demand helped propel the market further forward.
Deliveries were up 23.8% across the first half of 2025. However, the same consistency cannot be seen when looking at BEV and PHEV performances separately.
Contrasting EV momentum
In November, BEVs enjoyed their biggest monthly sales increase since January 2025, with volumes surging by 37% to 253,865 units. The powertrain’s cumulative figure sat at 2,286,225 deliveries, up 27.3% compared to the same period in 2024. This represented a gradual rise from its growth of 24.9% during the first half of 2025.
On the other hand, the extraordinary PHEV growth seemed to slow. Sales improved by 34.9% in November to 113,752 units, the powertrain’s lowest monthly growth rate since April. This was above PHEVs’ cumulative increase of 33.6% from January to November, with 1,156,091 deliveries.
Europe’s new EV leader
Combined deliveries of the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 claimed Europe’s monthly EV best-sellers title in November. This was despite stiff competition from Tesla and Skoda, which dominated in 2025.
Deliveries soared by 169.1%, with 11,338 new models sold in the month, the duo’s highest-ever monthly sales total.
The Renault 5 and Alpine A290 narrowly bested a resurgent Tesla Model 3, which landed just 130 units behind. The more affordable version of the sedan, called the Model 3 Standard, was recently introduced to Europe. This may help to boost demand in the coming months.
A further 55 units back was the Skoda Elroq, which topped Europe’s EV market in October. With 12 months of recorded sales, the compact SUV’s delivery ramp-up appears to have plateaued. From September to November, its monthly sales figures did not exceed 11,395.
Fourth was the Tesla Model Y. This marked the first time since October 2022 that the crossover finished behind its smaller sibling. While the Model 3 enjoyed a double-digit improvement year-on-year, its big brother suffered a 38.1% drop to 10,989 units.
Even so, the Model Y was still not far from victory. Just 349 units separated first and fourth place in November’s best-selling BEV table.
VW Group’s BEV competition
Some distance behind, the Volkswagen (VW) ID.7 was embroiled in its own battle. It posted a 41.1% improvement to 7,343 sales, the all-electric models’ highest monthly total since March 2025. A further 227 units behind was the Skoda Enyaq in sixth. Unlike its fellow VW Group model, the SUV endured a 30.2% drop to 7,116 units.
The VW ID.4 placed seventh, with a 6.6% increase to 6,483 sales. Hot on its tail was its sibling, the ID.3. The hatchback posted 6,312 deliveries in November, translating to a 35.3% improvement year-on-year.
This meant that half of November’s top 10 was filled by VW Group models. Covering a variety of segments and body types, just under 5,000 units separated the BEVs.
Dolphin diving into the top 10
BMW’s iX1 claimed ninth, only 15 units behind the VW ID.3. However, it saw even greater growth compared to 12 months prior, with volumes up 41.9%.
Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Dolphin Surf, with 5,972 units. This was the first time the hatchback featured in Europe’s monthly BEV top 10, after deliveries began in May 2025.
The Dolphin Surf’s volumes took a significant step up in November, meaning it may not have reached its full potential in Europe. If the model’s sales continue to rise, it could feature in the continent’s top 10 bestseller list by the end of 2026.
Yet, with November’s performance, the hatchback has established itself as a strong contender as a small BEV in Europe. It faces plenty of competition, including the Renault 5 and the Alpine A290. The Kia EV3, the Citroën ë-C3 and the Volvo EX30 are also popular small BEVs.
Additionally, more new models will enter the fray in 2026. This includes the Kia EV2 and BYD Atto 2 DM-i, which were presented at the Brussels Motor Show.
Tesla remains in control
After 11 months of 2025, the Tesla Model Y looked assured to win the title of Europe’s best-selling EV. The crossover’s 126,702 sales were 45,093 units ahead of its closest rival, the Skoda Elroq. This gap is likely to grow, with the Model Y expected to experience its usual end-of-quarter delivery peak in December.
Meanwhile, the second-place SUV was relatively safe from the chasing pack, with 81,609 sales between January and November.
However, the Renault 5 and the Alpine A290 could potentially benefit from a last-minute slip-up, presuming their momentum is maintained. The duo sat third with a combined total of 78,787 units.
Moving up the table
Moving up two places to fourth was the Tesla Model 3, after a strong November. With 74,974 sales, it could challenge for third, considering its quarterly delivery cycle.
Fifth was occupied by the Skoda Enyaq. The SUV recorded 70,985 sales in the first 11 months of 2025. Just 481 units behind was the VW ID.3, which fell two positions to sixth. Its sibling, the ID.4, claimed seventh with 69,426 units, after finishing ahead of the ID.3 in November.
The VW ID.7 landed in eighth thanks to 68,080 sales. It placed ahead of the ID.3 and ID.4 in November, meaning these three positions could change in the full-year standings. Kia’s EV3 secured ninth with 61,197 units, while the BMW iX1 landed 10th, posting 59,091 deliveries.
BYD’s PHEV success
BYD’s European PHEV success continued in November. The carmaker’s Seal U topped the standings during the month, with 5,682 new models delivered. This represented a 263.5% volume increase compared to 12 months prior.
Two other SUVs followed behind: the VW Tiguan and the Volvo XC60. Both models are competing against the Seal U for the 2025 PHEV best-seller title. The former recorded 4,927 sales in November, up 27% year on year. Conversely, the XC60 endured a 23.6% delivery decline, with 4,312 new models taking to European roads.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC was just 54 units behind in fourth. The SUV enjoyed a sales boost of 25.9% compared to November 2024. Then came the MG eHS with 3,607 deliveries, equating a year-on-year surge of 100.5%. Sixth was taken by the Ford Kuga, however, it faced a 1.5% drop in sales to 3,457 units.
The first non-SUV in November’s PHEV top 10 was the Audi A3. The model posted its highest monthly delivery figure since March 2024, with 3,271 deliveries. Compared to November 2024, this was a jump of 938.4%.
The Jaecoo J7 made its third consecutive top 10 appearance after only beginning to record significant volumes in February 2025. During November, the SUV posted 2,976 sales, putting it in eighth.
BMW’s X3 trailed the Jaecoo J7 by just 87 units. The German model recorded 2,889 deliveries in the month. This brought the total of SUVs featured in the month’s top 10 best-selling models to eight. The VW Golf finished in 10th. The hatchback recorded 2,858 sales, up 121% year-on-year.
All set for PHEV glory?
From January to November, the BYD Seal U sat at the top of the European PHEV market. With its November triumph, the model extended its lead, bringing its cumulative total to 57,949 units.
Its closest challenger was the VW Tiguan. The PHEV trailed the top spot by 2,271 units. This left the Tiguan with a mountain to climb to take full-year victory. The Volvo XC60 was third with 53,057 sales. Despite being in the fight for the title throughout the year, its chance of victory heading into December appears slim.
Fourth went to the Ford Kuga, which has remained consistent in 2025. Its 41,818-unit total was comfortably ahead of the BMW X1 in fifth. After narrowly missing out on November’s top 10, it recorded 36,257 units after 11 months of the year. The Mercedes-Benz GLC followed in sixth, with 34,839 deliveries.
MG’s eHS secured seventh in the cumulative standings, thanks to 33,383 sales. Not far behind was the Toyota C-HR, taking eighth with 32,149 units.
Fighting for a top 10 finish
Multiple models are fighting for a 2025 top 10 finish in the PHEV table. At the end of November, the Cupra Formentor held ninth with 26,695 deliveries. Just 99 units behind was the VW Golf, which entered the top 10.
However, both models are far from safe. The two most likely candidates to cause a last-minute shock are the BMW 5-Series and the Jaecoo J7. The models posted 26,588 and 26,194 units between January and November, respectively. In particular, the Jaecoo J7 was well positioned to enter the top 10 after a strong run of monthly results.
The Toyota RAV4, BMW X3, and Hyundai Tucson also have an outside chance of squeezing in. The three SUVs recorded 25,880, 25,550 and 25,116 units, respectively.
