Topic: Electric Vehicles

The Automotive Update: Renault and Ford collaboration plus global EV enthusiasm cools 

What has drawn two automotive giants to collaborate on future vehicles? How are delays impacting the EU emissions target discussions? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry discusses the week’s biggest stories in The Automotive Update podcast.

In the latest episode, further details on the seismic collaboration between Renault and Ford. Also, a look at what the automotive industry wants to see in the delayed EU discussions on 2035 CO2 targets. Plus, is electric vehicle (EV) interest cooling, and what could renewed negotiations between China and the EU mean for Chinese Built EVs.

Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.

Renault and Ford join forces on EVs

Ford is to partner with Renault on development of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and all-electric vans. The agreement will see the development of two Ford-branded EVs based on the Ampere platform that underpins the Renault 5 and Renault 4. These vehicles will be produced at Renault’s ElectriCity manufacturing plant in the north of France. 

Designed by Ford, and developed with Renault Group, the two cars will feature distinctive driving dynamics, authentic Ford-brand DNA and intuitive experiences. The first of the two vehicles is expected in showrooms in early 2028. 

The RAC has predicted that the partnership could signal a return for the Ford Fiesta. The model was discontinued in 2023, as the carmaker focused on larger vehicles. However, a revival in the small car market could see the popular vehicle return, with the underpinnings of the Renault 5.   

EU emissions target delay

The European Commission has delayed discussions of a new proposal to potentially revise the EU’s 2035 ban on the sale of new CO₂-emitting cars and vans. According to Reuters, talks are now expected to happen on 16 December. The postponement comes as policymakers and industry leaders call for adjustments to the current strategy.

ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries recently highlighted the industry’s slow post-COVID-19 recovery and limited investment in EV charging infrastructure. She also argued that the 2030 and 2035 emissions targets are no longer realistic. De Vries offered five recommendations, including stronger consumer incentives , and greater technological neutrality.

Environmental groups oppose the easing of restrictions. Lucien Mathieu, cars director at Transport & Environment, warned against permitting biofuels and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) beyond 2035. ’[The new proposals]’may give them short-term comfort, but strategically it is a mistake that risks pushing the European industry into a dead end,’ he stated.

Chinese EV tariff talks resume

China’s commerce ministry has stated that negotiations with the EU over a minimum price plan for Chinese-built electric vehicles have restarted, Reuters has reported. The ministry has also urged the bloc not to talk independently with manufacturers.

The EU approved tariffs of up to 45.3% in October 2024. This followed a European Commission investigation into whether Chinese carmakers were benefiting from unfair subsidies that could impact competition in Europe.

China insists its manufacturers are simply more competitive than their European counterparts. As a result, Beijing has urged Brussels to accept a minimum price plan in place of tariffs. 

Study reveals a return to ICE

A new study by EY has revealed that many global car buyers are shifting back from EVs to internal combustion (ICE) models. 

The EY Mobility Consumer Index shows that 50% of global car buyers intend to purchase an internal combustion engine vehicle in the next 24 months. This is an increase of 13 percentage points (pp) from 2024. In addition, battery-electric vehicle preference has fallen to 14pp, a drop of 10pp. Meanwhile hybrids preference had declined to 16%, down five percentage points.

Range anxiety appears to continue to be one of the top barriers for consumers choosing EVs. According to the report, 29% of respondents cited this as their top concern, while 28% pointed to the lack of EV charging infrastructure. 

New autonomous partnerships

Mercedes-Benz and Momenta are ushering in the next stage of automated driving with the launch of an SAE Level 4 robotaxi service. The carmaker, together with its advanced driver assistance systems partner for China, is announcing this driverless shuttle service based on the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. 

Following an initial test phase in Abu Dhabi, the partners intend to roll out the service more broadly to other locations and markets. 

Meanwhile Stellantis and mobility platform Bolt have entered a partnership. They will jointly explore the development and deployment of Level 4 autonomous vehicles for commercial operations across Europe.

Automotive AI investment decline?

By 2029, only 5% of carmakers will maintain strong, AI investment growth, a decline from over 95% today. That is the forecast from business and technology insights company, Gartner. 

The firm predicts that only a handful of automotive companies will maintain ambitious AI initiatives after the next five years. Organisations with strong software foundations, technology awareness in its leadership, and a consistent very long-term focus on AI will pull ahead from the rest, creating a competitive AI divide. 

Gartner predicts that by 2030, at least one manufacturer will achieve fully automated vehicle assembly, marking a historic shift in the automotive sector. 

New-car registrations in the UK fall amid unusual BEV result

The UK’s new-car market continued its shaky 2025 run in November, as the government announced electric vehicle (EV) pay-per-mile plans. But did this hamper battery-electric vehicle (BEV) growth, or did something else play a part? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the figures.

The UK new-car market saw another monthly volume drop in November, as its rollercoaster ride continued. 151,154 new passenger cars were registered, according to the latest data from the SMMT. This was down 1.6% year on year, marking the sixth monthly volume drop between January and November.

After 11 months of 2025, the UK’s new-car market was up 3.4%, with 1,874,271 registrations. The country is likely to see over two million deliveries for the first time since 2019, the SMMT forecasts. Based on available data, December would need to see a 10.7% decline in volumes to miss this milestone.

Private car sales fell by 5.5% in November. Combined with 0.2% growth in the volume-leading fleet sector, the new-car market was likely to struggle. Business registrations, which make up a small percentage of overall volumes, increased by 18%. This equated to a rise of just 561 units, however.

EVs prop up uneven market

Like other major European markets, the UK is seeing registrations of petrol and diesel models decline each month. However, unlike others, the SMMT merges mild-hybrids with their respective petrol and diesel powertrains.

This means that reporting of hybrids is based solely on full-hybrid (HEV) models. This provides a more accurate view of the market’s performance. Other countries rely on the full and mild-hybrid figures to boost electrified vehicle growth. But in the UK, mild hybrids help to offset internal-combustion engine (ICE) losses.

So, the country’s electrified market consists of models that can run only on electric power for a period of time. However, with lower hybrid figures, the UK relies on EVs, including BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), to bolster growth.

In recent months, BEV and PHEV deliveries have helped overcome declines in petrol, diesel and HEV figures. All-electric models are the second-most-popular powertrain in the UK at present, while PHEVs have rivalled HEVs in terms of volumes.

Yet, this makes the UK’s new-car market very precarious. Should one EV powertrain slow, or falter, it can push the entire market into decline. This is what happened in November. While HEVs had a slow month, so too did BEVs. The all-electric powertrain suffered its lowest growth rate in nearly two years, according to the SMMT.

BEV stagnation in November

In total, 39,965 BEVs were registered in November. This was a 3.6% year-on-year improvement, equating to an extra 1,384 units. It was the third time in 2025 that the powertrain registered single-digit growth.

However, the technology did secure a 26.4% share of the market, its second-highest of the year. This was 1.3 percentage points (pp) more than in November 2024. Yet this was also the lowest improvement of the year so far.

Between January and November, 426,209 BEVs were delivered to customers, an improvement of 26%. The technology’s market share sat at 22.7%, a rise of 4pp. The UK’s automotive market will be concerned by this result. This is because the figure is far below the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate target of 28% for 2025.

What caused the BEV result?

The slow growth in November came despite the government creating an incentive package in July, aimed at increasing BEV uptake. Clearly, such an improvement did not surface last month.

To make matters worse, a recent announcement from the government could hamper EV adoption. This was the announcement that both BEVs and PHEVs would be subject to pay-per-mile tax charges from 2028.

November 2025 has come up against a strong period of comparison. At the end of 2024, carmakers were rushing to deliver BEVs. Brands were making a last push to meet the 2024 ZEV mandated target of a 22% market share.

November 2024 saw BEV deliveries improve by 58.4%. It was the powertrain’s biggest improvement of the year and was followed by a 56.8% rise in December 2024.

Fast forward to today, and some of the financial penalties for missing mandated targets have been relaxed. There is also more flexibility in borrowing against future sales. So, compared to one year ago, carmakers seem less stressed to pull forward BEV deliveries.

It is unlikely that the recent announcement in the Autumn Budget impacted November figures. Even if the early media reports broke the pay-per-mile plans three weeks before, many sales would have occurred beforehand.

Pay-per-mile problems?

The UK market could start to see an impact from the pay-per-mile plans in the coming months. BEVs have seen their financial benefits come under pressure. This year saw the technology become eligible for Vehicle Excise Duty and the Expensive Car Supplement.

The BEV market is crucial for the UK to maintain registration growth, yet recent announcements have increased growth uncertainty. ZEV mandate targets are only going to increase, and the ban on new petrol and diesel cars looms. This makes continued BEV adoption vital.

‘Even in a fragile market, ZEV uptake continues to rise, which is exactly what we need,’ commented SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. ‘But the weakest growth for almost two years, ahead of the government announcing a new tax on EVs, should be seen as a wake-up call that a sustained increase in demand for EVs cannot be taken for granted.’

‘We should be taking every opportunity to encourage drivers to make the switch, not punishing them for doing so, or else the ambitions of government and industry will be thwarted,’ he continued.

PHEVs provide EV boost

PHEVs were the UK’s best-performing powertrain in terms of volume growth. In total, 18,005 units were delivered, a rise of 14.8%. This equated to 2,318 more units compared to November 2024.

PHEVs secured 11.9% of the market in the month, a rise of 1.7pp. Since April, the technology has consistently held between 11.2% and 12.5% of total monthly registrations, as it pushes to match HEV volumes.

In the first 11 months of the year, PHEVs out-grew all other powertrains, with a registration increase of 34.8%. This equated to a total of 208,245 units and an 11.1% market share. The technology has improved its hold by 2.6pp, second only to BEVs when it comes to share growth.

Combining BEVs and PHEVs, the EV market reached 57,970 deliveries in November, a 6.8% year-on-year rise. This was the lowest volume increase of 2025. It also marked the first time this year the EV market has seen only a single-digit improvement.

Plug-in models controlled 38.4% of the market, up by 3.1pp. After 11 months of 2025, EVs saw an improvement of 28.8%. In total, 634,454 new plug-ins took to UK roads. This was enough for a 33.9% share, up 6.7pp.

Rollercoaster 2025 for hybrids

The UK’s HEV market is experiencing a rollercoaster year. Apart from the plate-change months of March and September, growth has been in single digits. The technology has also endured four months of decline.

November saw the lowest growth of the year, with just 1.3% more HEVs delivered to customers. This equated to a 19,836-unit total, ahead of the same month in 2024 by 245 units. The powertrain took a 13.1% share of the market, up 0.3pp.

The UK figures highlight the impact of mild-hybrids on other major European markets. Many of these countries have seen their overall hybrid registrations dominate monthly deliveries. Conversely, the UK’s HEV sector trails petrol and BEV sales. It is also coming under threat from PHEV volumes.

Electrified market dominates

When hybrid numbers are added to EV figures, the electrified market is leading in the UK. With 77,806 registrations in November, figures were up 5.3% year-on-year. The technology held 51.5% of the market, a dominant position, and a rise of 3.4pp.

During the first 11 months of 2025, the electrified market was not as dominant. It still sat behind ICE and is unlikely to overtake it in 2025. In total, 896,209 units were delivered, a 21.7% year-on-year improvement.

The powertrain group’s market share sat at 47.8% at the end of November. While this did prove a 7.2pp rise, it was also 4.4pp away from ICE.

To finish ahead in the full year, the electrified market has to overcome a deficit of 81,853 units to ICE. In November, the technology registered 4,458 more passenger cars than ICE models.

HEVs played their part in the electrified growth this year. From January to November, 261,755 units were delivered, a 7.5% improvement. This gave the technology a 14% share of the market, a 0.6pp rise compared to the same period last year.

Petrol remains the leading powertrain

Petrol and diesel registrations, including mild-hybrid powertrains, continued to decline in November. The regular drops in unit volume suggest that electrified models will overtake ICE. Should current trends continue, this will likely occur in 2026.

Last month, petrol volumes fell by 5.9%, to 66,180 units. This was still enough for a 43.8% market share, a drop of 2pp year-on-year. Meanwhile, diesel struggled again with a 24% decline. The fuel type’s 7,168-unit volume was enough for just 4.7% of the overall market, down from 6.1% a year prior.

Between January and November, petrol remained the dominant standalone fuel type, by some margin. Its 47% market share was 24.3pp higher than its nearest competitor, BEVs.

Yet this hold was still down on the 53% achieved in the first 11 months of last year. Meanwhile, its cumulative total of 880,331 units represented an 8.3% drop compared to the same period of 2024.

Diesel struggles continue

Diesel has been left behind at the bottom of the UK new-car market. With 97,731 registrations between January and November, the powertrain will likely only just make it to six figures in 2025. By the end of November, volumes were down 15.8%. Its market share of 5.2% was 1.2pp lower than the same time last year.

Combined, the ICE market achieved 73,348 deliveries in November, an 8% year-on-year decline. With 48.5% of the market, it lost its dominance for the third month in succession.

Across the first 11 months of 2025, 978,062 ICE models were registered, a 9.1% drop. However, thanks to eight months of dominance between January and August, it still led the market, with a 52.2% share. This was, however, down by 7.2pp.

So, the regular dominance of ICE is now at an end. It appears 2026 will start with electrified models leading the annual figures for the first time.

The Automotive Update: New EV incentives in Spain and tariff hope for VW Group

Spain launches a new national electric vehicle (EV) incentive framework. The EU reviews tariffs on Volkswagen (VW) Group’s countervailing duties. Also, a look into Zipcar’s potential UK exit. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus goes behind the headlines in The Automotive Update podcast.

In this week’s episode, Autovista24 is joined by Autovista Group’s regional head of valuation and insights, Ana Azofra. She offers her thoughts on Spain’s bold new EV incentive plans, and what they mean for the country’s new-car market.

Also, a look into how the European Commission is reviewing tariffs on a made-in-China battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from VW Group. Finally, Zipcar looks to cease its UK operations.  

Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.

Spain’s revamped EV inventive plan

This week saw the formal unveiling of Spain’s new approach to EV incentives. Dubbed the Auto 2030 Plan, the scheme will replace the current MOVES funding framework, which ends on 31 December. The plan will allocate €400 million to aid direct purchases of electric cars. It will be rolled out from 1 January 2026, according to Motor.es. 

Under the Auto 2030 Plan, regional administrations will no longer control and allocate funds. Instead, the process will be directed by the central government. Another key change includes providing incentives at the point of purchase,  as reported by EFE. 

The Auto 2030 Plan will direct €580 million from an EU-funded scheme to support industrial development. Additionally, €300 million will be made available to expand the country’s EV charging infrastructure.

EU review of tariffs

The European Commission is reviewing its tariffs on VW Group BEVs made in China. This follows VW Anhui, producer of the Cupra Tavascan, and SEAT, importer of the model, proposing a price undertaking.

Since the EU implemented tariffs on BEVs made in China last year, the model has seen countervailing duties of 20.7%. This is on top of the existing 10% import duty. SEAT confirmed with Autovista24 that its proposal includes an annual import quota and a minimum import price.

‘If accepted, this would result in the non-application of countervailing duties on the Cupra Tavascan. The exemption will take effect once the European Commission accepts the undertaking and adopts the corresponding regulation,’ a spokesperson said. The process can be expected to take a few months.

A spokesperson for the European Commission told Autovista24 that: ‘the door remains open for other companies to submit price undertaking offers, either jointly by groups of companies or by individual companies, as long as they adequately address the issue of Chinese subsidies.’ 

End of the road for Zipcar in the UK

Zipcar, the car-sharing platform, looks set to close its UK operations by the end of this year. The Avis Budget-owned company has updated its UK site with a message for customers.

‘Zipcar proposes to cease operations in the UK, subject to formal consultation with affected employees. During this period, we will not be accepting new member applications,’ it reads.  

Vehicles can still be booked and used up until 31 December 2025. Any new bookings are temporarily suspended beyond this date, pending the employee consultation. Zipcar operations in the US are not affected by this proposal, according to the company’s FAQs.

Can the new Auto 2030 Plan boost Spain’s EV market?

Spain’s new-car market has prospered in 2025, aided by strong electric vehicle (EV) uptake. But could bold new incentives help or hinder this growth? Autovista24 web editor James Roberts examines the numbers and outlines what to expect from the new Auto 2030 Plan.

November marked the 15th consecutive month of growth for Spain’s new-car market. The country saw 94,124 new vehicles registered, according to Autovista24 calculations of ANFAC data. This equated to a 12.9% rise, compared with 12 months prior, amounting to 10,785 additional units.

Between January and November, 1,045,640 new vehicles joined Spain’s roads, based on Autovista24 calculations. This was up 14.7% year on year, with 134,064 more deliveries. This relentlessly positive trend remains distinct from other major European markets, which have witnessed mixed fortunes across 2025.

Strong momentum

‘The Spanish automotive market is ending 2025 with strong momentum,’ stated Ana Azofra, regional head of valuation and insights at Autovista Group. ‘Sales are nearing pre-pandemic levels and have surpassed one million units, with all segments growing, especially the private channel. EVs now represent one in four November sales, showing that Spain has finally accelerated its adoption of this technology.’

EV adoption, spanning battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), has buoyed Spain’s new-car market this year. November proved to be no exception. An important driver of this has been the MOVES incentive scheme.

The MOVES plan was introduced in 2019, funded by the EU’s NextGenerationEU recovery funds, and managed in collaboration with Spain’s regional governments. So far €1.7 billion has been allocated. Its main purpose is to provide financial incentives for both EV purchases and the installation of charging infrastructure. This is due to expire on 31 December 2025.

With the imminent cessation of the MOVES III, the Spanish government has announced a radical shake up of EV incentives. It comes in the shape of the Auto 2030 Plan, which was formally revealed on 3 December, as reported by Expansión. Coches.net confirmed it will be rolled out in early 2026.

What is the Auto 2030 Plan?

Described by secretary of state of industry, Jordi Brustenga, as a ‘shock plan for the sector,’ it will replace MOVES. It will be available from early 2026 and will allocate €400 million to aid direct purchases of electric cars.

One of the key changes is that regional administrations will no longer control and allocate funds. Instead, the process will be centralised. It will be underpinned by a long-term multi-point plan, aimed at increasing electrification in Spain.

One often cited drawback of the MOVES scheme centres around delays in payments, red tape and regional inequalities. According to Carwow, 40,000 customers remain on the waiting list for MOVES III funding, despite already having purchased an eligible vehicle. This raises concerns as to how the switch from MOVES to the Auto 2030 Plan could impact these purchases.

In the longer term, the Auto 2030 Plan looks to enable a more agile and unified process. Aligned with this, a single state fund will be created and accessible anywhere nationally. It is hoped this will solve the issue of premature exhaustion of funds under the previous regional framework. Under the MOVES III plan, demand has led to an exhaustion of funds in multiple regions, according to Coches.net.

‘With €1.28 billion in 2026 and 25 structural measures, the plan aims to boost Spain’s industrial capacity in EV and battery production,’ said Azofra. ‘It also streamlines incentives by reducing bureaucracy, centralising aid, and addressing regional disparities.’

Incentives at point of sale

The new scheme looks to enable applications for subsidies at the point of sale, according to El Independiente. This is something many manufacturers, dealers and consumers have urged. It will allow subsidy discounts to be applied at the dealership, saving consumers up-front fees. Under the MOVES incentive system, customers were required to pay for a vehicle and retrospectively reclaim any monies owed.

Unlike the periodically renewed MOVES scheme, the Auto 2030 Plan is seemingly aimed at offering a solid and consistent incentive foundation. Central to this is Spain’s aim to phase out the sale of internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035.

Coupled with this, the Auto 2030 plan seeks to boost the domestic automotive industry and connected innovation. In particular, the plan will look to expand the country’s EV charging infrastructure, allocating €300 million in this area.  

Despite Spain’s relatively strong new-car market, there have been consistent calls from industry bodies to solidify EV incentive security. It seems that the Auto 2030 Plan has gone some way to alleviating these concerns.

‘In addition to breaking down bureaucratic barriers, the new plan also seeks to remove barriers related to charging infrastructure, an urgent requirement if demand is to grow sustainably,’ affirmed Azofra.

However, the new plan excludes leasing companies, which have been major drivers of electrification in the market. This sector is exploring alternatives to continue expanding its fleets in a sustainable and competitive manner, potentially through tax benefits or direct discounts.

‘Overall, the market shows vitality, supported and backed by state initiatives that now aim to ensure that this positive trend becomes consolidated, both on the demand side and within the industry, so that Spain does not miss out on opportunities in this field,’ concluded Azofra.

EVs charge Spain’s new-car market in November

November saw 9,318 BEVs reach customers in Spain, a 60.9% jump in registrations compared with the same month in 2024, Autovista24 calculates. This ensured a 9.9% market share, up 3 percentage points (pp) year on year.

PHEVs also enjoyed a strong penultimate month of the year. The powertrain recorded 12,001 sales, the third-highest monthly total in 2025, based on Autovista24 analysis. This ensured a 146.3% increase on figures from one year prior. As a result, PHEVs made up 12.8% of the overall monthly new-car market.

Combined BEV and PHEV numbers totalled 21,319 registrations in November. According to Autovista24’s calculations, this meant a 99.9% year-on-year volume increase. It also ensured a plug-in powered market share of 22.7%, a sizeable 9.9pp year-on-year leap.

Focusing on this year, while this is a comparative increase of 0.3pp compared with October’s share, it was down 1.7pp on August’s high watermark of 24.4%.

Spanning the first 11 months of 2025, EVs accounted for 19.3% of the Spanish new-car market according to Autovista24 calculations. This also marked a 100.1% year-on-year increase, with 201,747 units delivered.

The big question is, with new EV incentives freshly rolled out, can this momentum continue, and even build, in 2026?

Hybrid market share high

For the second consecutive month, hybrid registrations, including both full and mild-hybrid technologies, rebounded in Spain, exceeding 40,000 units. Shadowing a wider European trend, this powertrain has commanded a dominant market share in the country this year.

After recording an annual low of 39.1% market share in June, hybrid registrations reached 43.6% in November, a 1.5pp year-on-year lift. This was achieved with 41,038 units sold in the month.

From January to November, hybrids occupied 41.8% of the total Spanish new-car market, a healthy year-on-year upswing of 3.7pp. In total, after 11 months of the year, 437,547 hybrids have been registered, according to Autovista24 calculations. This was the highest volume of any powertrain.

As a result, hybrids are doing a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to overall electrified figures in Spain. Adding hybrids to the EV total provides an electrified vehicle share of 61.1% in the first 11 months of 2025. This is a new high for 2025, and a notable 12pp year-on-year increase for the powertrain combination.

ICE holding on for winter?

As the end of the year approaches, the decline in ICE registrations continues. November saw further falls for both new petrol and diesel vehicles in Spain. For petrol, a 23.9% year-on-year volume drop marked the biggest monthly decline of 2025.

According to Autovista24, the 21,150 units registered ranked as petrol’s third lowest total this year. Despite this, petrol power still commanded a 22.5% market share, the second highest after hybrids. However, this was underpinned by a 10.8pp slide over the last 12 months.

Petrol’s decline has been evident across the year. After 11 months, volumes were down 14.6%, with 294,417 registrations. The accumulated market share of 28.2% was down by 9.6pp. Diesel also saw a double-digit decline in November. Autovista24 calculated that just 4,979 units took to Spanish roads, as the fuel type continues to hover around the 5% market share total.

Adding together petrol and diesel totals, overall ICE registrations held 27.8% of the monthly market in November. This equated to a 13.2pp fall. This fall in share was significant over the first 11 months of 2025, with unified ICE registrations still ahead of EVs.

Combined, petrol and diesel totals hit 352,199 in the period. Despite a year-on-year unit fall of 18.8%, the grouping held 33.7% of the market. The overall plug-in share lagged this by 14.4pp according to Autovista24 analysis.

The latest overhaul to Spain’s EV incentives will be key to eroding the resilient and significant presence ICE power has on the country’s new-car market. Can Auto 2030 measures provide a knockout blow, or at least stunt petrol sales, in 2026?

The Automotive Update: Significant EV tax changes in UK and 2026 new-car market forecast

How will the UK’s Autumn budget impact the country’s electric vehicle (EV) industry? What can be expected from the global new-car market in 2026? Plus, the latest key EV battery production announcements. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker presents The Automotive Update podcast.

In this week’s episode, a look at what the UK government’s budget means for drivers of EVs. Also, an expert-led webinar focused on new-car markets. Finally, the latest EV battery production news, unpacked.

Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.

UK EV drivers face revamped tax framework

The UK government has announced plans for a pay-per-mile tax on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). The latest budget outlined that BEVs will be charged 3p per mile, while PHEVs will pay 1.5p per mile, from 2028 onwards.

Dubbed the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), it will sit alongside the usual annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). EV owners will pay both the standard tax and the mileage-based charge.

Drivers look to be required to input their annual mileage when renewing their vehicle tax. They can either pay the full amount in advance or spread payments across the year. At the end of the period, they will report their actual mileage.

While some have welcomed changes to VED, there is dissent. Critics of the new plans warn that the additional charge could make EVs less appealing and may slow adoption rates.

What to expect for new-car markets in 2026

Autovista Group’s latest webinar, Global new-car market outlook 2026, explored some key new-car market forecasts.

An expert panel discussed whether economic headwinds and supply-chain challenges could prevail into 2026. While gross domestic product is expected to fall in many markets as inflation remains mostly flat, EV adoption will continue.

Additionally, the demand for electric powertrains is driving battery innovation. In particular, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries can be expected to feature in a greater number of new electrified vehicles.

The webinar also assessed the potential success of Chinese carmakers in the European market. Affordability and build quality emerged as key factors in dictating potential prosperity. These new brands look set to capture a greater share of the European EV market in 2026. The question is which ones will have the staying power to succeed.

EV battery production developments

CATL revealed it will train up to 4,000 workers to operate its €4.1 billion battery plant in Spain. According to Reuters, the site will begin production in late 2026, supplying batteries to Stellantis.

It marks China’s biggest investment in Spain and is also backed by €300 million in EU funds. The project will be Spain’s biggest battery production facility when it is completed. Three more Spanish battery plants are planned, including projects by Envision AESC, Volkswagen’s (VW) PowerCo and Inobat.

LG Chem and Sinopec announced a partnership to develop key materials for sodium-ion batteries, electrive reported. The two companies said the batteries produced would be used for applications in China and globally, including ‘low-speed’ EVs.

Foxconn will expand its own battery production, according to electrive. The contract manufacturer plans to produce battery cells for EVs at its Taiwan facility.

Finally, Panasonic Energy will supply batteries to Zoox, Amazon’s self-driving unit, Reuters reported. Deliveries will begin in early 2026 under a multi-year agreement. 

Is it the end of the road for digital dashboards?

In recent years, touchscreens and digital interfaces have transformed the car interior. However, with issues surrounding safety, usability and residual values (RVs), are knobs, switches and buttons set to reclaim the dashboard? Autovista24 web editor James Roberts explores the topic.

As the automotive industry evolves, so does the interior of vehicles. Over the last couple of decades, the design of car interiors has become increasingly digitised. Carmakers have trended towards using fewer physical elements such as buttons and switches, instead prioritising central screens and haptic controls.

From housing essential analogue instruments such as speedometers and fuel gauges, the dashboard has changed significantly over the last century. The 1980s and 1990s heralded a growing digital influence, and this trend has continued at a revolutionary pace.

The growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoption has been central to this shift. Additionally, prioritising screens provides a cost-saving measure for manufacturers. Whether electrified or powered by an internal-combustion engine (ICE), car dashboards have experienced a profound shake up. But have things moved too fast?

Too digital too soon?

‘There has been a very clear trend towards reducing or even eliminating physical buttons in recent years,’ stated Christoph Ruhland, director of business development at Autovista Group. One example of this trend is Tesla. The brand’s large infotainment screens with their drawing pad abilities became a popular concept.

‘Tesla initiated this development and pushed it to an extreme with the facelift of the Model 3, where it removed the indicator stalk entirely. This proved highly impractical in everyday driving and has since been reversed,’ Ruhland commented.

Tesla’s embracing of an almost entirely digital environment pushed established automotive design leftfield, and proved hugely influential. Over the last 15 years, major manufacturers including Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen (VW) have followed this trend. However, as larger screens and digital elements began dominating, the shift proved too radical for some customers.

Two people sat inside a Tesla Model Y using the touchscreen facility
Source: Tesla

‘Many buyers, especially in the used-car market, were just getting used to the idea of touchscreens for basic functions. Suddenly, almost all of the ‘minor’ functions; infotainment, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and heated seats, were only accessible via touchscreen menus. For drivers, this was a step too far, too fast,’ stated Robert Redman, senior market analyst, consulting services at Autovista Group.

Digital decisions

Hyundai emerged as one of the first major manufacturers to change its approach to digitisation. Initially, the Korean carmaker widely embraced touchscreens, even adding them to steering wheels in a concept car.

‘As we were adding integrated infotainment screens in our vehicles, we also tried putting touchscreen-based controls, and people did not prefer that,’ admitted Ha Hak-soo, vice president of design North America, Hyundai, as reported by InsideEVs.

Interior of a Hyundai Tuscson
Source: Hyundai

Hyundai’s U-turn towards physical controls has been evident in the updated Tucson. A 2024 refresh saw a haptic control stick added to the SUV, as well as physical dials for climate control. This is a theme mirrored in electric siblings such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6.

‘The real question is not whether digitalisation was too fast, but how much of it is actually sensible and usable,’ said Ruhland. ‘Some functions were moved to screens mainly for cost reasons, and this has sometimes been unhelpful for real-world usability. Digitalisation only makes sense when it genuinely improves the driver’s experience.

Big names getting physical

Along with Hyundai, a raft of major OEMs cooled their touchscreen transition and cockpit digitisation in recent years.

Magnus Östberg, head of software at Mercedes-Benz, told Autocar that data pointed to physical buttons being better. This blunt appraisal hints at much wider, nuanced trends. Östberg outlined a vision for a balance between physical controls and a data-driven, software-defined environment.

Volkswagen (VW) has been a notable player in the changing approach towards an overtly digital interior. The brand faced criticism following the rollout of capacitive steering wheels and touch sliders in 2019.

This centred around models including the Golf Mk8 and the electric ID. series. It even filtered into Ford models based on VW’s MED platform, such as the Ford Explorer. Criticism centred on accidental inputs and difficulty using touch-sensitive controls, soon making automotive headlines. This year, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen, confirmed the return to physical buttons on the steering wheel in VW models.

Source: VW

This is something the carmaker has emphasised will continue across future models. This includes providing a digital experience that ‘supports the driver, rather than competing for attention.’ VW revealed to Autovista24 that future interiors will combine ‘tactile clarity with intelligent digital support. Physical where it matters, and digital where it adds value.’

‘Our goal is to make every interaction in a VW feel instantly natural,’ Andreas Mindt, head of Volkswagen brand design, told Autovista24. ‘Customers told us clearly what they expect: intuitive controls, essential physical buttons, and digital functions that support rather than overwhelm. This balance of tactile clarity and smart technology is the foundation of our future interiors.’

Safety dictating design?

User experience and consumer preference aside, one key feature is forcing the future of vehicle interiors: safety.

The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) recently focused on safety concerns linked to digital and touchscreen proliferation. From January 2026, a coveted five-star safety rating can only be achieved via the implementation of prominent physical elements.

These include physical controls for five critical functions spanning indicators, hazard lights, horn, windscreen wipers and the eCall emergency system. This signals a significant milestone in how manufacturers will approach the in-car digital and physical balance.

‘The updated rules place much stronger emphasis on safe driver engagement and on the ability to operate essential functions with minimal distraction,’ added Ruhland. ‘This development is not only driven by safety protocols, but also by the simple reality that physical switches often provide better usability in dynamic driving situations.’

While not legally binding, Euro NCAP ratings provide a powerful marketing tool, guiding wider automotive safety trends.

‘As a result, manufacturers targeting the highest safety ratings will need to reintroduce strategically placed physical controls for key functions, supported by voice commands where they genuinely reduce distraction and add value. The likely outcome is a more balanced approach in the coming years. Digital interfaces where they make sense, but physical controls where safety and intuitive operation demand them,’ highlighted Ruhland.

Residual value impact

Increased digital and touchscreen elements are nothing new. As a result, their desirability in the used-car market is a major factor. Particularly when it comes to the impact on RVs. Functionality has proven a key factor in RV determination.

‘Ease of use has always been important when it comes to cockpit controls,’ Redman outlined. ‘The actual location and functionality will vary from model to model, of course, but most buyers are driving their car for three or four years, or increasingly longer terms, so will soon learn the changes in their ‘new’ car.

Interior of a BYD vehicle with steering wheel and touchscreen
Source: BYD

‘However, the ease of use and accessibility will have a bearing on the first impressions, and systems that appear overly complicated can be off-putting at first, and this will affect saleability and impact RVs,’ he said.

Additionally, the desirability of digital functionality varies across the world. Many Chinese EV manufacturers trend towards cockpit standardisation. This creates a uniform appearance across brands that hampers individuality.

Ruhland stated: ‘The result is a form of monotony that makes it difficult for brands to differentiate themselves. Manufacturers will now need to rediscover a clearer family identity inside the vehicle. A distinctive cockpit can be as important to brand perception as the exterior design.’

Space for differentiation

There is some space for differentiation in Europe, and physical controls can help shape this. Premium brands continue to explore a more bespoke and individual approach to cockpit design. For many European OEMs, physical controls can convey a sense of luxury and refinement, reinforcing brand identity. According to Ruhland, ‘high-quality buttons offer a level of precision, feedback and the way they feel to the touch that a touchscreen cannot replicate.’

‘In our work, we have identified around 30 drivers of RVs, and cockpit design directly impacts a number of them,’ added Ruhland. ‘These include emotion and appeal, timelessness, interior attractiveness, perceived quality, suitability for everyday use, and practicality and ergonomics, to name the most important ones.

‘The influence is real, but it should not be overstated. A vehicle that offers no physical controls at all is likely to have disadvantages in the used-car market, as it may be seen as less intuitive and less user-friendly.

‘However, once a car offers a healthy balance between digital interfaces and physical buttons, the impact on RVs becomes more or less neutral. Additional high-quality physical controls that improve usability and provide a more premium impression can even be supportive of RV performance,’ Ruhland said.

Digital cost saving

Cleaner aesthetics and enhanced user experience may seem the obvious driver for a simplified interior. However, this is not the most important factor. The shift towards digital interfaces has been driven significantly by strategic and economic needs.

Streamlining multiple functions into a digital mode can replace many wired and manufactured components. This can ultimately ease the need for materials and wider supply chain demands.

‘If we are honest, the main driver behind this development has not been ergonomics or better usability, but cost,’ added Ruhland. ‘Every button requires hardware, wiring, and ongoing software support, and removing them saves money.’

‘I believe the future will be a hybrid interface that combines a mainly digital cockpit with physical controls where they genuinely add value,’ added Ruhland. ‘Digital screens will remain the core of the interaction, but physical buttons will support key functions that benefit from immediacy, tactility or reduced distraction.’

Coupled with this, digitisation has catalysed the introduction of over-the-air (OTA) updates. This is another means of saving money, reducing the need for recalls, and streamlining feature upgrades or fixes.

‘I suspect that we have already reached a good balance between physical and touchscreen controls,’ commented Redman. ‘Drivers need to be able to quickly and safely access certain functions, such as infotainment, heating, ventilation and wipers while driving.

‘This is not going to change in the future as drivers still need to be able to prioritise their primary focus on the process of driving and negotiating traffic and not be distracted trying to negotiate a menu to demist their windscreen,’ he concluded.

The Automotive Update: Trends defining EV sales and the latest Nexperia news

Which brands are driving electric vehicle (EV) sales across Europe, China and the worldwide market? What does the latest Nexperia development mean for carmakers? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus unpacks the news in The Automotive Update podcast.

In this episode, Autovista24 considers how one carmaker has dominated global EV sales in 2025. Its figures were boosted by success in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market, despite the powertrain stagnating in some regions.

In contrast, some challengers saw demand dip, while one German brand experienced sales increases. Plus, the latest twist in the Nexperia story.

Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.

EV market domination

BYD dominated the Chinese and global EV market between January and September. The brand took a commanding share of worldwide plug-in sales, with a balanced volume of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs.

The Song Plus, known as the Seal U in some markets, topped the global PHEV market after nine months of the year. This was helped by the model leading the European PHEV market in September. It also held first in the UK’s cumulative PHEV standings. Despite this, the marque’s annual PHEV deliveries dropped between January and September.

This marked part of a wider declining trend in PHEV sales, seen in China and across the global market. Conversely, the technology’s demand in Europe was strong three quarters into 2025.

EV manufacturer struggles

Despite only selling BEVs, Tesla also saw deliveries dip. This fall was particularly pronounced in Europe. However, its Model Y and Model 3 were still the best-selling EVs worldwide after nine months of 2025.

On the other hand, Volkswagen (VW) saw EV sales soar. The brand enjoyed strong growth in Europe, with a particularly positive performance in Germany. VW models also led the country’s BEV and PHEV charts.

This contributed to its solid global EV growth. Yet, due to increased competition, its market share only saw a minor rise. This trend affected many brands worldwide.

Nexperia’s latest announcement

The Dutch government confirmed it will suspend the order with which it took control of the semiconductor maker Nexperia.

‘In light of recent developments, I consider it the right moment to take a constructive step by suspending my order under the Goods Availability Act regarding Nexperia, in close consultation with our European and international partners,’ said the Netherlands’ economics affairs minister Vincent Karremans.

‘In the past few days we have had constructive meetings with the Chinese authorities. We are positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world.

‘We see this as a show of goodwill.’ He went on to day that ‘we will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the Chinese authorities in the period ahead.’

However, Nexperia clarified that Zhang Xuezheng is still suspended and is not acting as the CEO. Instead, CFO Stefan Tilger will continue to act as interim CEO. Additionally, voting rights in the shares in Nexperia, indirectly held by Wingtech, cannot be exercised by the Chinese company.

Carmakers have recently faced the potential disruption of semiconductor supply and the related parts. However, with this latest development, automotive companies can breathe a little easier that some progress has been made.

Which new entrant is winning over the UK’s EV market?

The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) market is under pressure to perform in 2025. But how are new entrants and the introduction of the Electric Car Grant (ECG) helping to drive sales? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the data.

The UK’s EV market, made up of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), is continuing to grow. Sales have benefited from new entrants and the reintroduction of incentives.

In total, 522,489 EVs were sold in the country nine months into 2025, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. This equated to a 32.2% increase year on year. Of the two powertrain technologies, BEVs were more popular, accounting for 66.9% of all plug-in deliveries in the UK.

With 349,704 deliveries between January and September, the BEV market increased by 29.6% compared to the same period of 2024. Meanwhile, the PHEV sector recorded 172,785 sales, signalling a 37.7% improvement.

BEVs are under pressure to perform in the UK at present. The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 28% of a carmaker’s deliveries to be either BEV or hydrogen fuel-cell models. SMMT data revealed that BEVs only made up 22.1% of the UK’s entire new-car market three quarters into 2025.

BYD leads new entrant boost

Over the last few years, the UK has become an attractive prospect for new entrants to the European automotive market. Many of these brands are subject to EU import tariffs, with a focus on BEVs built in China.

Of these new entrants, the most impressive performance came from BYD. Between January and September 2025, it sold the third-largest number of EVs in the UK, reaching 35,474 units. This was up 574.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

The marque has been helped by its popularity in the plug-in hybrid market. Over the first three quarters of the year, the UK’s best-selling PHEV was the BYD Seal U, with 16,129 deliveries. It accounted for 9.3% of all PHEVs sold, leaving the industry stalwart, the VW Tiguan, in second.

The rest of the carmaker’s tally came from the BEV market. While not placing in the annual top 10 chart after three quarters of the year, BYD did make inroads with the Sea Lion 7 in September. It was the sixth best-selling BEV in the month, moving 2,019 units. This was impressive for a model that only started deliveries in January, ending the month with a 2.8% market share.

Jaecoo impresses as another new entrant

Another impressive new entrant is Jaecoo. It only offered one model in the UK across the first nine months of 2025: the J7 PHEV. With deliveries first recorded in March 2025, it took third in the annual PHEV top 10 with 12,463 units. This puts it just 110 units behind the VW Tiguan, meaning it could end the year as the second-best-selling PHEV.

September was the model’s best month on the market, with 4,855 deliveries, allowing it to take second. This meant the Jaecoo J7 held 12.6% of the PHEV market in the month. Alongside the BYD Seal U, it was one of two models to achieve a double-digit market share in September.

However, Jaecoo’s reliance on one model over three quarters of 2025 did impact its position in the brand ranking. In September, the carmaker placed ninth. Yet this position could be boosted by the introduction of the Jaecoo 5 later this year.

Jaecoo’s sister brand, Omoda, saw 6,154 sales between January and September, placing it 23rd in the brand chart. The carmaker has not fully focused on the EV market, with its Omoda 5 model offered with BEV or petrol powertrains.

There are also other new entrants to the UK market that are still expanding their operations. These include Leapmotor, Chery, Xpeng and Geely. More brands mean more choice for consumers, something that can help spur the EV market forward.

Incentivising the market

In July 2025, the UK government announced the introduction of the Electric Car Grant. This incentive scheme sees up to £3,750 offered against the list price of a new BEV.

This plan includes two tiers, with manufacturers required to nominate their passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles to be eligible. Models will either qualify for a discount of £3,750 (€4,299) or £1,500.

The grant level is based on strict sustainability criteria. This includes the level of CO2 emitted during the production process, supply-chain emissions, and the use of renewable energy sources.

Battery production emissions account for 70% of the criteria targets, with vehicle assembly emissions weighted at 30%, the RAC reports. The carbon intensity of the electricity grids where production takes place is also considered. Additionally, only BEVs with a list price of under £37,000 will be eligible.

Currently, only three vehicles qualify for the maximum discount. These are the Ford Puma Gen-e, the Ford E-Tourneo Courrier, and the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range. Both Ford models were added to the list at the end of August, while the Citroën became eligible at the beginning of November. There are a further 38 models in the second tier, eligible for a £1,500 discount.

Is the Electric Car Grant working?

At first glance, it appears the ECG has had little impact on the UK’s BEV market. In September, the two best-selling models were the Tesla Model Y, with 4,273 units, and the Tesla Model 3, with 3,720 deliveries. The former lost volume compared to 2024, by 26.3%. However, the Model 3 jumped by 100.5% year on year.

Yet the Ford Puma Gen-e was the third-best-selling BEV in September. This was the first full month of the model’s eligibility for the ECG discount. Having gone on sale in April 2025, the Puma Gen-e did not achieve more than 635 deliveries until September. On reaching this month, it achieved a volume of 3,144 units.

The UK often sees a bounce in passenger car sales in September due to the plate-change effect. However, the Puma Gen-e achieved a month-on-month improvement of 1,383%. In comparison, the Ford Explorer saw an increase of 67.9%, while the Ford Capri achieved 109.6% growth.

Therefore, it does seem that Ford has benefited from its BEV model being eligible for the full ECG discount.

The only other ECG-approved model that made September’s top 10 BEV chart was the Skoda Elroq. Having come to market in January 2025, it saw 1,671 sales in the month, placing it eighth. This was its highest total of the year but was comparable with its 1,206 sales in March. So, it seems the model’s position is based more on the model’s popularity than its £1,500 grant.

The rest of September’s top 10 BEV table was made up of models that are not eligible for the ECG. Therefore, it may be a while before the full effect of the grants becomes clear.

Tesla domination continues

Across the first nine months of 2025, the Tesla Model Y led the market with 18,310 sales. This gave it a 5.2% market share. Close behind was the Tesla Model 3, with 16,605 deliveries and a 4.7% hold of the all-electric total.

The two US models have a commanding lead ahead of the third-placed Audi Q4 e-tron. This saw 11,087 sales in the nine-month period, for a 3.2% market share.

In the PHEV market, behind the top three, the Ford Kuga placed fourth, some way behind the Jaecoo J7. With 8,305 sales, it achieved a 4.8% share of the total PHEV volume after three quarters of 2025. It was ahead of the MG eHS, which managed 5,739 deliveries and a 3.3% market share.

Which German brands performed well in the country’s EV market?

As a leading European electric vehicle (EV) market, the fortunes of Germany’s carmakers are key to the continent’s plug-in success. But while some domestic brands are thriving, others are not. Tom Hooker, Autovista24 journalist, reviews the figures.

Germany’s EV market has enjoyed a positive 2025 so far, recording a year-on-year improvement of 46.3% between January and September. This equated to 596,585 sales, according to EV Volumes. Plug-in delivery pace was even stronger in the third quarter alone, with a 56.7% surge to 210,903 units.

These figures cemented the country’s position as the third biggest EV market worldwide three quarters into the year. It followed only China and the US. It led Europe’s EV efforts, ahead of other major new-car markets such as the UK and France.

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have helped push the EV market forward in 2025, but for different reasons.

BEVs experienced a 37.8% rise in volumes across the first nine months of the year. This means 104,081 more all-electric models took to German roads compared to the same period of 2024.

While PHEVs recorded lower volume improvements compared to 2024, their relative growth was significantly higher. The powertrain’s sales soared by 64.1% to 216,962 units from January to September.

Demand has picked up pace throughout the year, with an 86.3% improvement in September alone. EV Volumes does include extended-range electric vehicles in its plug-in hybrid figures.

Looking ahead, Germany’s EV market is forecasted to grow by 16.7% in 2026. Plug-in models are expected to take a 33% share of the overall new-car market, with BEVs alone capturing 22.1%.

Will incentives impact EVs?

Germany’s new purchase incentives may help achieve this growth. Coming into effect in 2026, this will be the first time since December 2023 that these subsidies have been available. However, little is currently known about the details of these subsidies.

The country also recently presented a first draft of the Masterplan Ladeinfrastruktur 2030. The document outlines the German government’s strategy to coordinate and accelerate the deployment of publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure.

The plan’s 41 measures look to boost demand and investment, simplify and accelerate implementation, as well as increase price transparency. Improving electricity grid integration and enhancing user-friendliness are also covered.

VW’s EV dominance

Volkswagen (VW) dominated Germany’s EV market during the first nine months of 2025, with 113,607 units delivered to customers. This was nearly double the total of its nearest competitor and represented an improvement of 134.9% year on year.

The brand took a controlling 19% share of its domestic EV market, up 7.1 percentage points (pp) year on year. The VW brand also sold the largest volume of EVs in the third quarter alone, recording a 121% increase to 37,605 deliveries.

The best-selling BEV and PHEV models nine months in 2025 both hailed from the carmaker. The VW ID.7 sat atop the all-electric table, with 25,101 sales and a 6.6% market share. It also made up 22.1% of VW’s overall EV volumes.

Its sibling, the ID.3, was just 2,227 units behind. However, the hatchback chipped away at the ID.7’s lead after topping September’s monthly standings. It managed a 146.6% year-on-year increase to 2,979 deliveries. The ID.4 placed fifth in the January to September BEV chart, thanks to 16,031 units.

Meanwhile, VW’s Tiguan captured 5.5% of the PHEV market from January to September, holding first place with 11,848 sales.

The VW Passat took fourth in the PHEV table, posting 9,302 deliveries. While not in the top 10 in the first three quarters, the VW Tayron has been ramping up volumes. It captured sixth in the September monthly results with 1,052 units.

Solid EV growth for BMW

BMW sold 61,023 new EVs in Germany from January to September, an uptick of 32.5% year on year. Despite double-digit growth, its share slipped by 1.1pp to 10.2%. Its performance in the third quarter was nearly identical to its result across the first nine months of the year, as it sat second with 22,461 units.

Its best-selling EV model was the iX1, accounting for 20.5% of the carmaker’s total. After nine months of 2025, the BEV placed seventh in the standings with 12,489 sales. BMW’s i4 also enjoyed demand, as the all-electric sedan achieved 8,043 deliveries from January to September.

Elsewhere, the BMW 5-Series sat sixth in the PHEV table after nine months into 2025, with 7,491 units. Yet, it could only manage ninth in September’s monthly chart. It was outperformed by the BMW X3, which came fourth with 1,176 deliveries.

Mercedes-Benz loses ground

Unlike the first two brands in the table, Mercedes-Benz has seen its EV volumes stagnate so far in 2025. Its 55,795-unit total after nine months of the year represents a 0.5% decline.

However, looking at the manufacturer’s third-quarter results alone, things seem more positive. Mercedes-Benz delivered 19,798 new EVs to customers from July to September, equating to a 7.4% growth year on year.

The carmaker accounted for 9.4% of overall EV sales in the three months. This contrasted with the same period one year ago, when it led Germany’s plug-in market with a 13.7% share.

Spearheading the brand’s electric efforts between January and September was the E-Class. It sat in third in the PHEV table with 9,393 sales after nine months. The GLC also appeared in the standings in eighth, recording 7,115 deliveries. The duo made up 29.6% of the brand’s overall EV volumes.

Although not featured in the top 10, the EQA BEV also recorded strong sales across the first nine months of 2025. It accounted for 13.1% of Mercedes-Benz’s total plug-in figure, thanks to 7,283 sales.

Cupra claws up the table

Charging behind Mercedes-Benz was VW Group brand, Cupra. The marque achieved a 133% year-on-year growth in EV sales after three quarters of 2025, with 45,379 units. This translated to a 7.6% share, up from 4.8%.

However, its improvement was less pronounced from July to September. The brand recorded an 86.1% rise in plug-in sales, placing it sixth in the quarterly chart.

Of its five EV models available in Germany, four featured in either the BEV or PHEV cumulative table. The Cupra Born led the way, as the all-electric hatchback recorded 14,859 deliveries after nine months of the year. It landed sixth in the BEV chart and accounted for almost a third of Cupra’s entire EV total.

The BEV also took sixth in September’s monthly chart, as it was joined by the Tavascan. The SUV placed seventh, with 1,296 units, equating to a 251.2% growth year on year. This was the best improvement of any model in September’s all-electric top 10.

Meanwhile, the Formentor held up well against its PHEV competitors. It sat in fifth after three quarters of 2025, posting 7,669 sales. It was joined by the Cupra Leon in seventh and the Cupra Terramar in 10th, with 7,330 and 6,709 units, respectively.

Skoda’s 2025 EV success

Another VW Group brand to make the EV top 10 across the first three quarters was Skoda. It placed fifth, just 224 units behind Cupra. The brand recorded the best year-on-year growth of any carmaker in the top 10, with volumes surging by 147.7% to 45,155 units. This meant its share jumped from 4.5% to 7.6%.

Skoda’s growth in the third quarter was slightly slower, at 90.6%. Yet, it achieved the fourth-best EV volume between July and September, just 142 units ahead of Audi.

Skoda’s success so far in 2025 can mostly be attributed to its Enyaq and Elroq SUVs. The two represented 76.5% of the carmaker’s total between January and September.

They also captured third and fourth, respectively, in the BEV standings between January and September. While the Enyaq had a higher total of 18,485 sales, its younger sibling posted stronger results in recent months. The Elroq took third in September’s monthly chart, with 2,565 deliveries, while the Enyaq finished fifth.

Can Audi catch up?

Audi sat in sixth in the cumulative EV table, 2,999 units behind its nearest competitor. The domestic marque’s growth has not been as strong as the two other VW Group-owned brands ahead of it.

However, its market share still increased by 0.3pp to 7.1%, as its deliveries rose 52.7% to 42,156 units. Audi also performed well in the third quarter, taking fifth thanks to a 90.1% uptick in demand.

Its two highest volume EV models rounded out the BEV chart after nine months. This was the Q4 e-tron in ninth with 9,214 sales, and the Q6 e-tron in 10th with 9,166 sales. The two SUVs accounted for 43.6% of the carmaker’s total plug-in volumes.

Volvo’s strong PHEV contender

The seventh most popular EV brand after nine months of 2025 was Volvo. Volumes dropped 5.6% to 26,270 units, as its share consequently fell by 2.4pp to 4.4%. The third quarter was similar, with Volvo enduring an even steeper 14.2% loss in volumes to 7,956 units.

The manufacturer did see one silver lining, however. Its XC60 was second in the PHEV chart after the first three quarters of 2025. The crossover recorded 9,949 sales in this period, trailing the VW Tiguan by just 1,899 units. The XC60 was responsible for 37.9% of Volvo’s EV volumes.

Solid EV growth for Hyundai

Hyundai posted 24,193 EV sales between January and September, putting it eighth in the EV standings. The growth meant its share ticked up by 0.1pp to 4.1%. Its delivery pace slowed marginally in the third quarter, with a 45.4% improvement to 8,745 units.

The brand did not feature any models in the BEV or PHEV cumulative table after three quarters of the year. Instead, its volumes were spread relatively evenly across its EV range. The Inster BEV topped the pack, with 8,052 sales.

Behind, Ford managed a 104.6% improvement in EV volumes across the first three quarters of 2025. This equated to 23,638 new models sold and a 1.2pp rise in share to 4%. Apart from VW, it was Germany’s fastest-growing EV brand in the third quarter alone, with sales surging by 114.8%.

The Ford Kuga placed ninth in the PHEV standings after nine months. Its 6,817-unit total represented 28.8% of the carmaker’s EV total.

Yet, it was not Ford’s best-selling plug-in. That title was taken by the Explorer BEV, which posted 7,608 sales from January to September. This gave it a 32.2% share of Ford’s plug-in figure.

Tesla was 10th in the EV standings between January and September, with 14,843 units. The brand has struggled in Germany in 2025 so far, with a 50.3% slump in EV volumes. This caused its share to plummet from 7.3% to 2.5%. However, taking figures from July to September, its sales saw a less severe drop of 30.7%.

The Model Y led the European and global EV markets after three quarters of 2025, as well as placing strongly in China. However, it did not experience the same success in Germany. Even with a fourth-place finish in September’s monthly BEV table, the crossover placed eighth in the cumulative chart.

BYD makes quick progress in the European EV market

As Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) market grows, newer entrants such as BYD are establishing themselves. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker examines the latest figures from EV Volumes.

EV sales in Europe have continued to charge forward, with a year-on-year uptick of 27.1% between January and September. According to EV Volumes, a combined total of 2,720,459 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were sold.

This growth was spearheaded by a 34% improvement in the third quarter, as 926,519 new EVs were delivered.

So far this year, PHEVs have recorded greater growth rates than BEVs. EV Volumes does include extended-range electric vehicles in its plug-in hybrid figures. PHEVs enjoyed a 31.5% rise in demand during the first nine months of 2025, with 919,112 deliveries. This is an improvement from the 21.7% growth in the first half of the year.

Monthly PHEV volumes have ramped up throughout 2025, peaking with a 55.7% increase in September, reaching 130,179 sales. This marked the powertrain’s best year-on-year growth since June 2021, and its highest monthly figure since December 2022.

This means PHEV’s share of the EV market increased to a 33.8% slice between January and September. This was a 1.1 percentage point (pp) rise from its position during the same period of 2024.

BEVs saw greater volumes across the first three quarters of the year. A total of 1,801,347 all-electric models took to European roads from January to September. This was an improvement of 25% year on year.

The technology saw 257,297 deliveries in September alone, capping a ninth consecutive month of double-digit growth. This was its highest monthly total since December 2022 and marked a 20.3% increase compared to one year prior.

So, with growth in almost every month so far this year for both powertrains, which brands have capitalised, and which have fallen behind?

Chinese brands increase EV share

Chinese brands have undoubtedly increased their EV presence in Europe. Many carmakers from the country have seen their market shares rise this year, as volumes have surged.

One example is BYD, which recorded a 302.6% year-on-year EV sales improvement over the first three quarters of 2025. This means out of the top 10 best-selling EV brands in Europe this year, it is comfortably the fastest-growing.

BYD was eighth in the EV sellers ranking between January and September. The carmaker’s 119,085-unit total translated to a 4.4% market share, up 3pp compared to the first three quarters of 2024.

Between July and September, the Chinese brand’s volumes rose by 284% to 48,336 registrations. This placed it seventh in the quarterly table, with a 4.8% market hold, up from 1.8% during the third quarter of 2024.

Seal U steals the show

The highlight of BYD’s EV range was the Seal U plug-in hybrid. It led Europe’s year-to-date PHEV market for the first time in September, moving past the VW Tiguan with 45,837 units. This also marked the first time a model from a Chinese brand has led Europe’s cumulative PHEV or BEV standings.

This was thanks to a 10,089-registration tally in September alone. This made it the month’s third-best-selling EV in Europe, behind only the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3.

Xpeng has also made significant progress in Europe this year. The brand’s volumes soared by 185.3% to 12,729 units after nine months of 2025. Its G6 SUV has been its best performer, with 8,751 so far this year.

Meanwhile, Lynk & Co saw a 20.8% increase in deliveries from January to September, with 6,351 registrations. The majority of the carmaker’s volume came courtesy of its 01 PHEV.

Barriers to entry remain

The entrance of new brands does not come without hurdles, however. BEVs produced in China still face steep EU import tariffs, which were imposed in October 2024. This means increasing their European EV presence is not easy. Carmakers may consider localising production or raising list prices.

Some brands are focusing on plug-in hybrids. While PHEVs are subject to the regular 10% EU import duty, the technology does navigate around the BEV tariff rate.

For example, PHEVs made up 85.1% of Lynk & Co’s EV sales. Conversely, Xpeng focused solely on BEVs, which represented 100% of its EV deliveries. BYD had a more balanced strategy, with PHEVs accounting for 40.1% of its EV total.

VW doubles down on EVs

Volkswagen (VW) continued to sell the greatest volume of EVs in Europe after the first nine months of 2025. The brand’s total of 305,746 deliveries equated to a 104.6% surge. In turn, VW’s market EV share rose by 4.2pp to 11.2%.

The German marque’s pace is not slowing down. It recorded the most EV registrations in Europe from July to September, with 101,683 units equating to an 84.8% year-on-year improvement.

The brand has seen many of its EV models perform well this year. In the BEV market, the VW ID.3 sat fourth after the first three quarters of 2025, with 57,699 units. The ID.4 took seventh, followed by the ID.7 in eighth, with 56,186 and 53,570 registrations, respectively.

For nine months in 2025, the VW Tiguan has been in a hotly contested battle at the top of the PHEV market. It sat in second with 45,277 deliveries, putting it just 560 units behind the BYD Seal U.

BMW’s comfortable position

BMW’s EV sales recorded a 15.6% improvement from January to September, posting 245,276 deliveries. It was secure in second position at the end of September. The brand trailed VW by 60,470 units, while sitting ahead of third by 60,046 deliveries.

The manufacturer captured 9% of the European EV market. However, due to increased competition, this was a 0.9pp drop compared to the first three quarters of 2024. In the third quarter alone, its share fell by 1.3pp to 8.7%. This was despite a 17% rise in volumes to 80,809 units, which placed it in second.

However, the brand only placed one model in the cumulative top 10 of both the BEV and PHEV rankings. The BMW iX1 was the 10th best-selling BEV in Europe, with 46,775 deliveries, 3,446 units behind ninth. Meanwhile, the BMW X1 landed fifth in the PHEV standings, posting 30,314 deliveries from January to September.

Stagnation for Mercedes-Benz?

Mercedes-Benz was the third German brand to make Europe’s EV top three. This was thanks to 185,230 sales across the first three quarters of the year.

However, this was down 0.6% compared with the same period of 2024, mainly caused by a poor first quarter. Consequently, its share in the first nine months of 2025 dropped from 8.7% to 6.8%.

Yet, Mercedes-Benz managed a 5.4% increase in registrations between July and September, with 63,412 units. Should Mercedes-Benz be able to replicate this result in the last three months of the year, it could avoid a full-year decline.

Just one of its models sits in the BEV or PHEV top 10, namely the Mercedes-Benz GLC plug-in hybrid. The SUV is in seventh in the year-to-date BEV standings with 25,847 units. It was closely followed by the MG eHS, just one delivery behind in eighth.

Tesla banks on Model Y

Tesla deliveries took a 29.2% drop in Europe between January and September, equating to a loss of 71,131 units. Meanwhile, its share slumped by 5.1pp to 6.3%. Yet, the brand still took fourth in the year-to-date table, with 172,582 units.

Tesla’s decline was less pronounced in the third quarter, with a 20.4% drop, to 62,557 registrations.

The Model Y and the Model 3 made up 99.3% of Tesla’s sales in Europe after three quarters of 2025. The crossover comfortably led Europe’s all-electric market after nine months of the year, with 109,524 units.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 moved up to second in September. It sat 47,738 deliveries behind its sibling, recording 61,786 registrations from January to September. Both models also locked out the top two spots in the month’s BEV table, despite their volumes falling year on year.

Audi’s growing EV presence

Audi moved up to fifth in Europe’s year-to-date EV standings, thanks to 151,005 deliveries. This represented year-on-year growth of 14.2%. However, its share fell by 0.6pp to 5.6%. In the third quarter alone, the German marque enjoyed a 33.4% uptick in demand to 51,034 units, placing it in sixth.

No Audi models featured in the BEV or PHEV top 10 tables after nine months of the year. However, the Q6 e-tron did place 10th in September’s monthly all-electric standings, with a 253.9% delivery surge to 5,323 units.

Yet, it was the Audi Q4 e-tron that was the brand’s most popular EV model after three quarters of 2025. It represented 29.3% of the carmaker’s overall plug-in figure.

Falling EV registrations for Volvo

Volvo suffered a 17.3% fall in EV sales from January to September, dropping to sixth in the year-to-date table. Its 147,339-unit total gave it a 5.4% share of the market, down from 8.3%.

The manufacturer endured an even steeper decline of 17.8% in the third quarter alone, with volumes dropping to 44,849 units. Its market hold in this period was 4.4% down from 7.9% in the third quarter of 2024.

Its Volvo XC60 sat in third in the year-to-date PHEV table with 42,555 units, just behind the VW Tiguan. The model landed fourth in September’s monthly standings, pipped by the Jaecoo J7. The SUV made its first-ever appearance in the PHEV top 10, with a record 6,122 registrations.

Skoda’s mixed EV performance

Skoda posted a 129.3% surge in plug-in deliveries during the first nine months of 2025. It sat seventh in the cumulative table with 145,385 units, as its share grew by 2.3pp to 5.3%.

This improvement was foreshadowed in the third quarter. The brand saw a 95.7% rise in volumes between July and September alone, putting it fifth. Two BEVs have led Skoda’s EV efforts, although they faced contrasting fortunes.

The Elroq moved up to third in the year-to-date BEV table, with 58,680 registrations, just 3,106 units behind second. It also took third in September’s monthly BEV standings, with 9,972 deliveries.

Its older sibling, the Enyaq, fell two spots to sixth in the cumulative BEV chart, with 56,581 units delivered.

Cupra and Renault fall

BYD’s improvement came at the expense of Cupra and Renault, who were victims of the continent’s competitive nature. The brands dropped to ninth and 10th, respectively, in Europe’s EV standings after the first three quarters of the year.

This was despite a volume increase of 80.4% for the former, as its share grew from 2.9% to 4.2%. Meanwhile, Renault’s EV registrations surged by 82.8%, equating to a 1.3pp rise in share to 4.1%. Yet, neither brand featured in the third quarter’s EV top 10.

The combined total of the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 represented over half of Renault’s EV total between January and September. The hatchback sat fifth in the BEV chart after three quarters of 2025, with 56,642 deliveries.

Cupra’s most notable model was the Formentor, which secured ninth in the PHEV top 10 after three quarters of the year. This was thanks to 21,480 deliveries.

Is China’s new PHEV struggle affecting brands’ EV sales?

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market appears to be slowing following another month of struggling growth. But how are these performances affecting domestic brands? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the data.

In September, China’s PHEV market, including range-extended electric vehicles, once again showed signs of a slowdown. Its 0.4% year-on-year improvement was the lowest result since a 51.4% decline in June 2020, according to EV Volumes data. Meanwhile, the BEV market grew once again in September. In total, 836,711 models were sold, which equated to a rise of 26.5%.

Between January and September, China’s PHEV market saw 3,859,629 passenger car sales, a 21% increase year on year. At the end of the first half of 2025, this growth was at 35.7%, highlighting the powertrain’s third-quarter struggles.

Meanwhile, the BEV market saw an improvement of 37.4% across the first nine months of 2025.

The overall Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market rose by 30.3% over the first three quarters of the year. However, this was down by 10.1 percentage points (pp) compared to the growth in the first half of 2025.

The PHEV problem

Some of the most popular PHEV models in China suffered declines in the third quarter. Combine this with the growth recorded at the end of 2024, and the last quarter of 2025 may prove difficult.

The market’s issues have caused problems for some Chinese brands, especially those with a stronger PHEV offering. Both Li Auto and Aito have posted overall declines after three quarters of the year.

BYD, which dominates the PHEV market, saw its numbers fall between July and September, coinciding with the PHEV slowdown. For the second consecutive month, the BYD Song Plus did not make the monthly top 10, hampering its sales growth.

The PHEV sector could play a crucial role in determining how certain brands perform for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, a strong BEV market is helping some domestic marques go from strength to strength.

BYD’s third-quarter PHEV struggles

Nine months into 2025, BYD sold the largest volume of EVs of any brand in China. But its growth slowed dramatically in the third quarter. With 52.6% of its sales coming from PHEVs, is it responsible for the sector’s poor form in the same three-month period?

Between July and September, the carmaker saw volumes drop by 19.4%. This meant its figures for the nine-month period grew by just 2.5%. In the first half of 2025, the brand’s numbers were up by 19.9%

With a 24.9% EV market share in the first three quarters of 2025, it is comfortably the region’s plug-in leader. However, its hold has slipped by 6.8pp compared with the same period last year.

It is the PHEV market where BYD has struggled the most. Six of BYD’s PHEVs made the top 10 in September this year. Of these, four models lost volume year on year, while the Qin Plus recorded an improvement of 41%. Meanwhile, the BYD Sea Lion 06 first recorded sales in June this year.

But the brand’s problems are not just related to plug-in hybrids. In the BEV market, the BYD Seagull placed fifth in September as its sales shrank by 47.3% year on year.

However, this was countered by the BYD Yuan Up in fifth, which enjoyed a 61.8% improvement. Furthermore, the BYD Dolphin saw a 41.7% uptick in demand in eighth.

The carmaker is focusing on export markets, while it maintains a diverse portfolio of products in its domestic market. For now, BYD can rest on its laurels, with no real challenger yet in sight.

Geely’s standout performance

The standout brand so far this year has been Geely, including its Galaxy subsidiary. The carmaker has seen volumes increase by 234.7% in the first nine months of 2025. This equated to an 8.8% market share, up 5.4pp.

Geely took a stronger footing in the BEV market, with 69.5% of its EV sales coming from all-electric models. This was thanks to the Geely Geome Xingyuan, which was the best-selling BEV in China between January and September. It made up 59.1% of Geely’s BEV deliveries in the period, and 41.1% of its total sales in the nine months.

But Geely has endured PHEV struggles too. The Galaxy Starship 7, which led the market in January, has since slipped down the charts. The model did not place in the top 10 during September and sat in 10th in the cumulative results after nine months.

Yet the new Galaxy A7 may offer some hope. It made its way into the top 10 for the first time in August and placed again in September. Still, Geely’s performance after three quarters owes much to the Geome Xingyuan, which is likely to be China’s best-selling BEV at the end of 2025.

Wuling and Tesla’s rollercoaster ride

Wuling, incorporating its Baojung subsidiary, has seen inconsistent results so far this year. Yet after three quarters of 2025, the carmaker still saw volumes improve by 44.1%. Its market share sat at 5.9%, up by 0.5pp.

Like Geely, Wuling’s volumes came mostly from the BEV market. Of its EV sales, 94.1% were all-electric. The Wuling Mini was China’s third-best-selling BEV between January and September.

It was helped by its chart-topping performance in September, beating the Tesla Model Y by 570 units. This was an impressive result, considering the US brand’s quarterly push, which often sees it lead in the month.

Tesla was the fourth best-selling brand after three quarters of the year. The brand saw its volumes fall by 6.1% year on year between January and September 2025. Meanwhile, market share dropped by 1.8pp.

With a 100% focus on the BEV market, Tesla is not affected by the fluctuation in the PHEV sector. Its Model Y has performed well, but it is not leading the market as it has in the past.

Additionally, the Model 3 has seen its popularity decline. In September, its deliveries fell by 15.2% year on year, despite the brand’s end-of-quarter push.

Leapmotor leaps forward

Between January and September, Leapmotor took fifth in the brand table for EV sales, following a strong third quarter. It jumped domestic rival Chery, which took fifth in the first half. Leapmotor’s success was largely thanks to its BEVs. These models accounted for 78.6% of its EV sales, meanwhile Chery’s all-electric cars only accounted for 29.5%.

These results are more impressive considering neither brand was present in the BEV or PHEV cumulative model tables. It seems each has a higher volume of models that are popular further down the table.

In total, Leapmotor’s sales were up 116% between January and September, with a 3.8% market share. This was up by 1.5pp year on year. Chery, meanwhile, saw growth of 126.6%, with a 3.8% hold of the EV market too. This was up 1.4pp compared to the same period in 2024.

Seventh in the brands table went to Li Auto. The carmaker also struggled, with volumes down 12.3% year on year. With 92.2% of its sales coming from PHEVs, it appears the marque has been affected by the powertrain’s slowdown.

Xpeng was next, with volumes rising by 213.6% over the first three quarters. This gave the brand a 3% market share, jumping by 1.8pp. Aito was another to struggle, with a 3.6% decline in volumes. The carmaker is another with a majority of its sales coming from PHEVs. This may have led to its overall share falling by 1.1pp, to 2.9%.

Xiaomi saw the biggest gain of all carmakers in the top 10 after nine months of 2025. The BEV-focused marque saw volumes grow 281.8%, with its market share up 1.8pp, reaching 2.8%.

September surprise

China’s BEV market saw a surprising result in September. The Wuling Mini led the way thanks to 51,743 sales, a jump of 78.9% year on year. It led the Tesla Model Y, which saw 51,173 deliveries.

The US brand usually leads the end-of-quarter months thanks to its reporting style. The Model Y was able to achieve a 6.2% volume increase. However, this was not enough to top the BEV chart across January to September, symbolising its ongoing struggles.

Meanwhile, the Geely Geome Xingyuan placed third in the month. The model saw its first sales take place in the same month of 2024, albeit in small amounts. It achieved a 5.7% share of total BEV sales in September.

In the first nine months of 2025, the Geome Xingyuan continued to lead. It was 50,671 units ahead of the Tesla Model Y in second, having lost a little ground in the month. The Wuling Mini closed on the US crossover, trailing by just 5,851 units after nine months.

PHEV strength despite struggles

Despite the PHEV market’s struggles, the top two models performed well. Leading the pack in September was the BYD Qin Plus, with 28,201 sales. This was a 41% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

Following this was the Aito M8. In its sixth month on the market, it achieved 21,000 deliveries, giving it a 4.2% market share. Just 229 units behind in third was the BYD Destroyer 05. It achieved 19,771 sales, although this was a 1.7% year-on-year decline. It still held 4% of the market, a 0.1pp drop.

The results meant the BYD Qin Plus extended its lead at the top of the cumulative PHEV chart. However, a strong performance from the BYD Seal 6 in September saw it overtake the struggling BYD Song Plus to sit second. The latter model did not place in September’s PHEV top 10.

Which EV models and brands have been successful so far in 2025?

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) led plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in the electric vehicle (EV) mix nine months into 2025. But which brands and models led the global market? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus explores the data.

The global EV market recorded 15,183,434 sales between January and September, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. This equated to a year-on-year increase of 30%.

This was helped by a 23.2% uptick in September when 2,122,838 plug-in units were delivered. As a result, the market stabilised after February’s 51.6% increase was followed by six months of shrinking sales growth.

Across the first nine months of 2025, EV growth and volumes have been driven by BEVs. The powertrain recorded 9,755,151 sales in the period, up 33.3% year on year. Meanwhile, PHEVs saw a delivery increase of 24.6% with 5,428,283 models hitting the roads. EV Volumes includes range-extended electric vehicles in this powertrain category.

BEV sales grew by 30.6% in September alone, with the powertrain’s biggest volume month of 2025 so far. This helped to pull up the overall EV market. Meanwhile, the PHEV performance continued to slide, with a 10.5% increase recorded in September, the lowest result for the powertrain so far in 2025.

The monthly BEV delivery total has cleared one million sales every month since March. PHEVs, on the other hand, broke the 700,000-volume mark for the first time in 2025 during September. All-electric cars represented 64.2% of the EV market between January and September, up 1.5 percentage points (pp) year on year.

Battle of the brands

BYD enjoyed a wide lead in the global EV market across the first nine months of 2025. It accounted for 19.3% of all plug-in vehicle sales as its volumes grew by 15.3% to 2,928,446 units. It took more than twice the market share of its next closest competitor, Tesla.

However, this is not a straightforward success story for the Chinese carmaker. As the market becomes increasingly competitive, BYD’s share shrank by 2.5pp compared with the first nine months of 2024.

BYD does offer a huge number of both BEVs and PHEVs, which have consistently placed high up the rankings. The brand offers seven of the top 10 best-selling PHEVs between January and September.

The BYD Song Plus, also known as the Seal U, came first in the PHEV table three quarters into 2025. It recorded 262,445 sales and took a 4.8% share. It was followed by the BYD Qin Plus with a 3.5% share and 192,479 sales. The Song Pro was next with 175,263 deliveries and 3.2% of the market.

Then came the Seal 6 in fourth with a 3.1% share and 167,577 sales. The Qin L was sixth with 132,794 sales and 2.4% of the market. The Destroyer 05, also known as the Seal 05, finished seventh with a 2.2% share and 120,790 sales. The Song L came eighth with 2% of the PHEV market thanks to 110,129 deliveries.

BYD’s BEV bump

While capturing fewer spaces in the global BEV top 10, BYD still held more spots than any other brand. Between January and September, it took four positions in the table. The BYD Seagull, also known as the Dolphin Surf, was the world’s fourth most popular all-electric model. It recorded 292,579 sales with a 3% market share.

The Yuan Plus, also known as the Atto 3, came seventh with a 1.9% share after selling 184,300 units. The Yuan Up, otherwise known as the Atto 2, came eighth with a 1.8% share and 174,137 deliveries. The Dolphin sat in ninth with 162,744 sales, capturing 1.7% of the global BEV market.

BYD’s powertrain split between January and September was well balanced, with PHEVs making up 50.2% of its EV sales. Accordingly, its two leading models were the Seagull BEV and the Song Plus PHEV. The former accounted for 10% of its EV sales, while the latter made up 9%.

A contrasting brand

The second-best-selling EV brand could not be more of a contrast with BYD. Instead of selling a wide range of models, evenly split across electric powertrains, Tesla offers only a handful of BEVs.

The Model Y continues to lead the carmaker’s sales figures, making up 66.4% of its deliveries in the first nine months of 2025. The Model 3 followed not far behind, accounting for nearly a third of its sales at 30.4%. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck, Model X and Model S contributed a fraction towards the brand’s total.

Tesla controlled the top two positions in the global BEV market nine months into 2025. The Model Y accounted for an unchallenged 8.3% of all-electric car sales, with 808,173 units delivered between January and September. Meanwhile, Model 3 followed in a distant second with a 3.8% hold and 369,756 sales.

Led by these popular BEVs, Tesla sold 1,216,655 units in the first nine months of 2025. This meant the BEV-only brand made up 8% of the global EV market, staying ahead of its competitors. However, it also saw increasing competition as its share dropped by 3.1pp compared to one year prior.

Third for Geely

BYD and Tesla’s market share was eroded by the likes of Geely in the first three quarters. The brand’s results, which include Galaxy, put it third in the global EV ranking between January and September. The carmaker took a 5.6% share of the market, up by 3.5pp from the same period in 2024.

Geely has enjoyed triple-digit growth in every quarter so far this year. With 844,630 units delivered between January and September, this equated to a sales increase of 238% year on year. However, this was slightly lower than the year-to-date growth of 286.3% recorded in June and 274.6% in March.

The brand’s results leant more heavily towards all-electric propulsion, as 69.8% of its EV sales were of BEV models. Much of this was down to the Geely Gerome Xinguan, which took third in the BEV top 10. It recorded 343,514 deliveries, making up 3.5% of the market. The all-electric car also accounted for 40.7% of the brand’s overall EV sales.

The Galaxy Starship 7 took 10th in the PHEV table in the first nine months of the year. It accounted for 1.8% of the market and 11.8% of the brand’s total deliveries.

Only two models in the PHEV top 10 did not come from BYD or Geely. The Aito M8 finished in ninth, recording 104,327 sales and capturing 1.9% of the market. Above it, the Li Auto L6 took fifth with 135,068 sales and a 2.5% market share.

The brand took 10th in the overall ranking, delivering 312,167 EVs, down 13.8% year on year. Its grip weakened by 1pp accordingly. So, which brands captured the rest of the top 10 EV brand table across the first three quarters of 2025?

The BEVs building global brands

Wuling, including Baojun, sold the fourth largest volume of EVs between January and September. This meant a market share of 3.8%, up by 0.3pp. This was thanks to 576,134 EV sales, up 42.8. Its Wuling Mini took fifth in the global BEV rankings with a 2.9% hold and 287,082 deliveries.

The model was followed by the Xiaomi SU7 in sixth with 2.3% of the BEV market, recording 219,810 deliveries. With a 1.4% share, the Xpeng MO3 climbed to 10th with 131,812 sales. The model has climbed the table since first recording sales in August last year.

This allowed Xpeng to take ninth in the overall EV ranking as it sold 313,258 units overall, up 215.4% year on year. The carmaker saw the second largest increase in market share in the table, up 1.2pp to 2.1%.

Just 0.4pp ahead in eighth was Leapmotor with a 2.5% share and 386,141 sales, up 126.5%. In seventh was another Chinese brand, Chery, having recorded 388,142 deliveries, equating to a year-in-year increase of 132.6%. Its grip on the EV market tightened by 1.2pp to 2.6%.

It drew up close to one of two European brands in the table. In sixth, BMW accounted for 2.6% of all plug-in sales across the world, down 0.8pp. Its sales were only up by 1.9%, with 399,163 EVs delivered.

The only other European brand to land a top 10 spot was Volkswagen in fifth. It claimed 2.8% of the market, up from 2.7% at the same point last year. With sales up by 32% to 419,882 units, it enjoyed slightly better growth than its German competitor. Alongside BYD, Tesla and Li Auto, these brands will need to pull out all the stops to keep their market share from slipping further towards the end of 2025.