According to a new report from UK-based research, analytics, and data company Rho Motion, global EV sales—battery electric (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combined —passed the 2.1 million mark for the first time in September 2025, up 26% YoY.
The Reuters press agency adds a regional snapshot detailing that China contributes the most with 1.3 million NEVs (New Energy Vehicles). Europe sold 427.000 of those.
In North America, sales boosted to 215,000, driven by those rushing to take advantage of the last EV subsidies scrapped by Trump. The rest of the world purchased an additional 154,000 EVs.
China leaps ahead
Once again, China shows it leaps ahead at breakneck speed. According to data from the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China’s NEV sales reached 1,604,000 units, surpassing the previous record of 1,596,000 units set in December 2024.
These are wholesale sales, including both domestic sales (1,382,000 units) and exports to overseas markets (220,000). NEVs include BEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell vehicles.
BYD remains China’s top EV seller, with sales reportedly reaching 396,270 units, representing a 26.7% share of the domestic market. Geely comes in second with 154,812 units, up 48.1% year-over-year, thanks to its leading Geely brand and sub-brands, including Galaxy, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co.
Changan, an automotive giant in its home country, ranked third, selling 121,690 units, up 26.14%. Changan is not present yet in Europe, but plans to launch its Deepal S07 electric SUV in 10 European markets in 2025 (imported from China or Thailand) as part of its European expansion strategy.
The only ‘foreign’ EV carmaker, ranking fifth in China’s top ten, is Tesla China, which saw sales rise 2.8% in September 2025 compared to September 2024.
Europe saw 36% growth
According to the global EV sales report from Rho Motion, Europe recorded 427,541 units in September 2025, representing a 36% year-on-year increase.
In the earlier months of 2025, Volkswagen had overtaken Tesla in Europe as the top-selling EV brand and was leading the BEV (battery electric vehicle) segment. Besides those two leaders, BMW, Mercedes, and Hyundai-Kia are among the top EV brands.
BMW has a strong EV presence, and Mercedes is more prominent in the PHEV business. Renault, Skoda, Volvo, and other European legacy brands likely feature in the middle tiers of the ranking.
Last-minute rush on EVs in the US
In America, Trump’s anti-EV move, which involved scrapping the $7,500 subsidies, created the opposite effect. EV sales jumped 66% year-over-year to about 215,000 in September, primarily driven by consumers trying to beat the deadline for the tax credits.
Tesla maintained its lead in the U.S. electric-vehicle market in September 2025, followed by General Motors’ Chevrolet brand, which continued its rapid ascent thanks to strong demand for the Equinox EV. Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Ford rounded out the top five, while BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Rivian, and Nissan trailed behind.
Although precise September-only figures have not been released, the ranking reflects third-quarter market shares and industry estimates, offering the most accurate snapshot yet of how automakers performed during the final month before the federal EV tax credit expired.
