Sales of electric cars grew by 25 per cent globally last year, increasing in China but slowing in Europe, according to figures released by UK consultancy Rho Motion.
A record 17.1 million battery electric vehicles (excluding plug-in hybrids) were sold worldwide last year, according to data compiled by the firm. China pulled further ahead as the world's leading market for electric vehicles with 11 million cars sold, a 40 percent increase from 2023.
In Europe (including the UK, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), sales fell three percent to three million vehicles after four years of strong growth. In the overall market decline in Europe, hybrids took the largest market share at the expense of gasoline and diesel vehicles. Sales jumped 21.4 per cent in the UK, which has become Europe's biggest market for electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle sales also increased in the US and Canada, rising nine percent to 1.8 million vehicles.
President-elect Donald Trump's plans to halt sales incentives will almost certainly impact electric vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2025. In Europe, tighter emissions restrictions could help electric vehicle sales in 2025 | BGNES
