Global EV Sales Rise 29% in March amid Strong China and Europe Momentum

Global registrations of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) reached approximately 1.7 million units in March 2025, showing a year-on-year increase of about 29 %, according to data compiled by Rho Motion and reported by Reuters.

The rise underscores how electrification continues to gain traction across major auto markets, even as headwinds such as cost pressures and supply-chain disruption persist. China accounted for the largest share of the gains, while Europe also delivered strong performance.

China and Europe Lead Growth, North America trails

In China, EV registrations jumped roughly 36 % year-on-year to nearly one-million units in March alone. Europe also registered solid growth of about 24 %, reaching around 400,000 units.

Meanwhile, the US and Canada combined saw growth of approximately 12 %, with around 200,000 units sold in the month.

Industry observers note that US growth was dampened by uncertain tariff policies and evolving emission standards, while China and Europe benefitted from stronger policy tailwinds and consumer adoption momentum.

• China’s strong monthly volume reinforces its leading role in global EV dynamics.
• Europe continues to respond to tighter CO₂ regulations with accelerating EV uptake.

The volume gains are clear in China and Europe — but North America remains a question mark for now.

Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion

What This Means for Automakers and Markets

The sustained global growth in EV registrations has several implications:

• Automakers with strong exposure in China and Europe are likely to consolidate lead positions.
• Markets where regulatory and tariff uncertainties linger may see slower EV uptake or require new stimulus.
• The global infrastructure and supply-chain ecosystem will need to scale rapidly to support rising demand.

Meanwhile, growth in March helped bring the first-quarter total to roughly 4.1 million units, suggesting the industry remains on a steep trajectory heading into the rest of the year.

As a result, companies and governments alike are closely monitoring whether the momentum can be sustained, particularly given potential headwinds such as subsidy reductions or material cost inflation.