Electric cars are gaining ground under political conditions
- Published on 13/12/2025 10:10
Global electric car sales are rising, driven by Europe while the United States lags behind
The dynamics of the global electric vehicle market remain strong in 2025, despite significant regional disparities. According to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, 2 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in November, bringing the provisional annual total to 18.5 million units. This represents a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024, confirming the sustainable embedding of electrification in the automotive industry.
Europe has established itself as the main driver of this growth. In November, electric vehicle sales surged by 36% year-over-year, with a comparable increase for fully electric models as well as plug-in hybrids. In the first eleven months of the year, the Old Continent totaled 3.8 million registrations, up 33%. After a long period of decline, France is timidly returning to growth, supported by an expansion of the offering, the recovery of companies like Volkswagen and Renault, and a social leasing scheme. Italy also recorded a record month, fueled by a new incentive program targeting the replacement of old traditional vehicles. In the United Kingdom, the expansion of models eligible for public aid has also contributed to support demand.
America’s Electric Stalemate
In contrast, North America is struggling to keep pace. In the United States, the anticipated end of the federal tax credit has slowed the market, despite a slight monthly rebound in November among several Asian manufacturers. Recent regulatory relaxations on consumption standards and the abandonment of financial penalties for non-compliance further reduce pressure on manufacturers to accelerate electrification in favor of traditional powertrains.
China, however, remains the pillar of the global market. With 11.6 million vehicles sold since January (+19%), it maintains a significant lead. Although domestic growth is slowing, exports are booming. BYD has broken its monthly sales record in November, illustrating the international push of Chinese manufacturers, particularly in Europe and emerging markets.
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Ultimately, producing a truly objective assessment of the global electric vehicle market is becoming increasingly complex. Commercial performances reflect not only consumer appetite or the technological maturity of models, but above all changing political and regulatory choices. Subsidies, environmental standards, taxation, and signals sent to manufacturers now weigh as heavily as the offering itself. More than a homogeneous market, electric vehicles are now evolving with variable geometry, shaped by public decisions that artificially accelerate or slow their trajectory depending on the regions.
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This page is translated from the original post "La voiture électrique s’impose sous conditions politiques" in French.
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