Which brand dominated the European EV market in 2025?

11 February 2026

Amid historic electric vehicle (EV) growth in Europe during 2025, one brand emerged as a comfortable winner. Behind, some carmakers enjoyed significant improvements, while others faced big declines. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker reviews the winners and losers.

Europe’s EV market performance in 2025 was record-breaking, for many reasons. The continent recorded 3,881,325 battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales from January to December. This equated to an additional 924,422 units compared to 2024, according to EV Volumes.

The figure also marked a year-on-year improvement of 31.3%, the steepest growth achieved since 2021. So, following a marginal decline in 2024, this can be seen as a strong rebound for European EV sales.

One million EV sales surpassed

This bounce-back was helped by soaring volumes in the latter part of the year. For the first time, Europe recorded more than one million sales in a single quarter. Between October and December, a total of 1,150,986 new EVs were delivered. This was 203,691 units higher than the previous record set in the second quarter of 2025.

The figure translated to a staggering growth of 40.9% year on year. This was the continent’s best improvement since the third quarter of 2021.

Furthermore, it ensured double-digit growth in every quarter of 2025. Volumes lifted up gradually throughout the year, starting with a 20% rise from January to March. This was bettered by 27.4% and 35.5% increases in the second and third quarters, respectively.

This culminated in a surging December performance, which saw the highest number of EV sales ever achieved in one month. With a total of 439,052 units, the result overcame a long-standing record set back in December 2022.

This figure represented a year-on-year sales increase of 48.5%, the biggest monthly percentage growth seen since August 2022. December’s increase was complemented by significant improvements in October and November of 36.6% and 36.4%, respectively.

Europe’s best-selling EV brand

Among surging EV growth in Europe, Volkswagen (VW) comfortably posted the most sales. The marque enjoyed a 86.8% year on year rise to 426,325 units. Out of the top five best-selling EV brands in Europe, this was the highest percentage increase recorded.

Consequently, its market share soared from 7.7% to 11%, becoming the only carmaker to surpass the 10% threshold in 2025. VW’s full-year performance was consolidated by a strong fourth quarter, topping the table with a 52% year on year improvement.

Overall, 2025 was a comeback year for VW, which previously led the continent’s EV standings in 2021. It went on to place third in 2022 and 2023, before dropping to fifth in 2024.

VW’s success can be attributed to three models from its ID range. This was the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.7. These models accounted for 54.8% of the brand’s EV total, with the ID.3 recording the highest share of the trio at 18.5%. The ID.4 and ID.7 made up for 18.3% and 18% of volumes, respectively.

Another model that performed strongly was the VW Tiguan, which accounted for 14.2% of VW’s EV sales in 2025.

The carmaker will be hoping that an electric model offensive can help it to retain its top spot in 2026. The much-anticipated ID.Polo, previously called the ID.2, will make its debut in spring 2026. It is one of six new EVs planned for launch this year.

Could the Neue Klasse drive volumes?

BMW made it a fourth-consecutive year of second-place finishes in 2025. The brand’s market share fell by 1.2 percentage points (pp) due to increased competition, ending the year at 8.7%. This came despite a 15.6% improvement in sales to 337,298 units.

BMW’s sales consistency was also shown in the final quarter of 2025, as the manufacturer posted a 15% EV sales increase.

The marque’s best-selling plug-in over 2025 was the BMW iX1, representing 20% of its overall total. The i4 and X1 also enjoyed solid volumes, with 13.7% and 11.6% shares, respectively.

Like VW, BMW will hope to continue its upward momentum into 2026, thanks to new models. The iX3, the first EV to use the Neue Klasse platform, will hold its official European market launch on 7 March. The second Neue Klasse EV, the i3, is expected to enter series production in the second half of 2026.

EV dominance for German brands

Mercedes-Benz claimed third in the cumulative table. So, for the first time since 2021, Europe’s top three best-selling EV brands came from Germany. However, with a 1.6% rise to 261,438 units, Mercedes-Benz did not enjoy the same sales pace as VW or BMW. Unsurprisingly, its market share dropped by 2pp to 6.7%.

A wide range of EV models contributed to its figures. Capturing 16% of plug-in volumes, the Mercedes-Benz EQA posted the highest sales, followed by the GLC with a 15.1% share. The Mercedes-Benz EQB also had a positive year, accounting for 13.3% of overall deliveries.

The new generation of the brand’s GLC SUV could help the brand improve on its marginal growth. Deliveries are expected to begin in mid-2026 for some countries, such as the UK. The new electric GLB also opened its order books in Europe after celebrating its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show.

Mercedes-Benz’s electric SUV range will be expanded further with the new generation of the C-Class and GLA. Both models will celebrate their premieres this year. Elsewhere, the updated CLA Shooting Brake will host its European market launch in March 2026.

This comes after the saloon version of the new CLA began deliveries in 2025. The latter may have played a part in the manufacturer’s 6.1% sales growth from October to December.

Tesla’s European EV troubles

Tesla was the fourth best-selling EV brand in Europe in 2025. This was a disappointing result for the BEV-only carmaker, which took the title in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

A total of 238,511 new Tesla models were delivered between January and December, its lowest full-year figure since 2022. The number also equated to a 27.1% slump year on year. Its market share also plummeted from 11.1% to 6.1%. Tesla placed seventh in the fourth quarter standings with a 22.2% sales drop.

Unlike the other carmakers in the top 10, Tesla’s volumes in 2025 were almost solely driven by two models. This was the Model Y and Model 3, which made up 99.4% of the brand’s total. The former recorded the majority of sales, with a 63.1% share, while the Model 3 accounted for 36.3% of deliveries.

Both BEVs received a new, lower-cost version at the end of 2025. According to Reuters, the Model Y Standard launched in October. This was followed by the Model 3 Standard in December, the news outlet wrote.

Audi’s fourth-quarter flourish

Just 8,613 units behind Tesla in the full-year standings came Audi. The German marque achieved 33.3% growth in 2025, as 229,898 new models left dealerships. Despite a double-digit improvement, its market share only saw a marginal rise of 0.1pp to 5.9%.

Of Europe’s top five best-selling EV brands, Audi ended the year well. Sales surged by 95.9% year on year in the fourth quarter.

Three of Audi’s e-tron BEVs made up most of the brand’s cumulative figure. This was the Q4 e-tron, the Q6 e-tron and the A6 e-tron. The trio accounted for 64.9% of Audi’s EV sales, while the Q4 e-tron alone made up 27.2%.

Towards the end of 2025, the marque launched a new entry-level variant of the SUV, which may help maintain its sales pace this year.

The Q6 e-tron and A6 e-tron achieved market shares of 24.9% and 12.8% within the carmaker’s stable, respectively. Outside of the e-tron model range, the Audi A3 also posted positive figures, making up 11.6% of Audi’s total volumes.

While the brand’s best-sellers came from larger segments last year, future volumes may be boosted by an upcoming entry-level BEV. Production of the model is planned to start in 2026.

Triple-digit EV growth

Fellow VW Group brand Skoda secured sixth in the full-year standings, jumping up from ninth in 2024. Volumes soared by 109.1% compared to one year prior, with 212,721 deliveries. This translated to a market share of 5.5%, up 2.1pp year on year.

Sales pace slowed slightly in the final quarter, with the Czech brand posting a 74.2% increase.

Skoda could continue its rise this year, with the introduction of the Epiq. The all-electric city SUV will be fully unveiled in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, a large all-electric SUV, called the Peaq, is scheduled to hold its world premiere this year.

On the other hand, Volvo endured a 13.1% EV delivery decline in 2025, landing seventh. With 207,098 sales, it trailed Skoda by just 5,623 units. The manufacturer made up 5.3% of total EV volumes, down 2.8pp year on year. It placed ninth in the fourth quarter standings, after a 2.1% fall in sales.

Volvo will be hoping to bounce back in 2026, aided by the introduction of a new BEV model called the EX60. Following the success of the smaller EX30, the mid-size SUV is scheduled to begin deliveries this summer.

BYD’s rapid EV expansion

BYD comfortably recorded the steepest growth out of Europe’s top 10 best-selling EV brands in 2025. Sales surged by 271.8% year on year to 187,112 units, enough for eighth in the table. In turn, its market share jumped from 1.7% to 4.8%.

The Chinese brand managed an even higher placing of fifth in the fourth quarter standings, as volumes improved by 222.8%.

BYD’s EV range will be bolstered by the BYD Atto 3 Evo, a comprehensive update of its existing BEV SUV. Deliveries in some markets, such as Belgium and Luxembourg, are expected to start in spring 2026.

Renault also enjoyed a strong finish to 2025 in ninth. The marque delivered 172,700 new models between January and December, ensuring an improvement of 87.3% year on year. It took a 4.4% market share, up 1.3pp. Renault saw greater sales growth in the fourth quarter, with a 95.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The brand’s new Twingo city car may help maintain sales pace heading into this year. The BEV opened its orders to the general public in January 2026.

Closing out the full-year standings was Cupra. The carmaker delivered 155,220 EVs from January to December, translating to a 69.3% increase year on year. Consequently, its share rose by 0.9pp to 4%. Along with fellow VW Group brands, Cupra is also launching a small BEV in 2026, called the Raval.

Narrowly missing out on a top 10 finish in 2025 was Ford. The American marque finished just 712 units behind Cupra in the full-year table. This was despite a strong end to 2025, with an 87.1% delivery improvement in the fourth quarter alone.