Europe's electric vehicle (EV) market is thriving in 2025, marking a robust recovery. From January to April, over 2.2 million electrified vehicles were registered across the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

This figure, encompassing battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), reflects a 20% surge compared to the same period in 2024. BEV registrations alone soared by 26%, signaling strong momentum in the shift to zero-emission driving.

The United Kingdom mirrored this trend, with BEV, HEV and PHEV registrations climbing 22.8% to 486,561 units from January to April. Pure electric models led the charge, with sales surging by over a third.

This rebound offers relief to Europe's automotive industry, which is grappling with rising production costs, fierce competition from Chinese EV manufacturers and stringent EU carbon emissions regulations. The sector now faces new challenges, including potential tariffs on cars exported to the United States, as threatened by US President Donald Trump.

In 2024, EV registrations plummeted across Europe, particularly in major markets like Germany and France, though hybrids bucked the trend with nearly 30% year-on-year growth. The downturn stemmed from multiple factors.

Germany, Europe's largest car market, abruptly ended EV subsidies in 2023 due to budget........

© Deutsche Welle