Europe’s Electric Car Boom Speeds Ahead in 2025, but Charging Infrastructure Can’t Keep Up

TradingPedia analysed registration data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for January to September 2024 and 2025. The results underline clear leaders: Germany and the United Kingdom. They sold 599,962 and 522,053 electric vehicles respectively, combining both battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models.

Norway, despite boasting the highest electric share in Europe — over 96 percent of all new cars — ranks only eighth in absolute sales, a reflection of its small but almost fully electrified market. Sweden sits just ahead, highlighting that market share and total volume don’t always go hand in hand.

BEVs Up 25 Percent, PHEVs Up 32

Across Europe, full-electric vehicle registrations rose 25.4 percent to 1.8 million units, while plug-in hybrids jumped an impressive 32 percent to more than 918,500. Hybrid-electric cars (HEVs) still dominate overall, with 3.45 million new registrations — nearly surpassing the combined total of petrol (2.7 million) and diesel (0.8 million) models.

Germany recorded the strongest growth, adding 382,202 new BEVs (+38.3%) and 217,760 PHEVs (+63.9%). In the UK, BEV sales climbed 29.5 percent to 349,414, while PHEVs grew 38.2 percent to 172,639.

France and Spain tell opposite stories. Spain nearly doubled BEV sales to 72,062 and more than doubled PHEVs to 86,681. France, meanwhile, saw a sharp 26.8 percent drop in plug-in hybrids to 72,537. The Netherlands appears to have hit a plateau, with growth levelling off after years of rapid expansion.

Overall, electric vehicle registrations across Europe rose 15 percent, but plug-in hybrids (+40.5%) were the main growth driver. Fully electric cars grew a modest 3.9 percent, while hybrids fell by 6 percent.

Northern Europe Still Rules the Market Share

In terms of market penetration, the Nordic countries remain untouchable. Norway leads with 96.8 percent of all new cars being electric, followed by Denmark at 68.7, Sweden at 62, and Finland at 56.6 percent. These figures underline the effectiveness of consistent tax incentives and pro-EV policies in accelerating the transition.

The biggest leaps, however, came from smaller markets. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland all doubled their electric car numbers compared with 2024. Latvia’s sales grew 141.5 percent, Lithuania’s 114.1 percent and Poland’s 102.1 percent. As TradingPedia notes, “these countries show that even modest markets can achieve exceptional growth with the right policy and incentives.”

The Infrastructure Gap

TradingPedia analyst Michael Fisher describes Europe’s electric transition as “a two-speed market.” Mature regions such as Germany and the UK continue to post huge volumes, while Central and Eastern Europe expand at record pace. Yet, he warns, “persistent shortfalls in charging infrastructure and consumer hesitation are holding back wider adoption of full-electric BEVs.”

Today, Europe averages one public charging point for every 13 electric vehicles. To sustain growth, that ratio must tighten dramatically. The next phase of expansion will depend less on subsidies and more on charger availability, improved battery range, and infrastructure investment — particularly in emerging markets.

A Split-Speed Transition

Europe’s electric revolution shows no sign of slowing, but it remains uneven. Western markets have reached a stage where convenience and charging access dictate sales, while Eastern Europe is still catching up. The outcome will depend on how fast ultra-fast chargers are deployed and whether governments can align their policies.

If Europe manages that, its 2030 electrification goals may be within reach. If not, the continent risks slipping back into dependence on what one analyst calls “the lingering inertia of the good old diesel.”