Global EV sales climb despite North American slowdown

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • Global EV sales grew 29% YoY in April, led by China (+32%) and Europe (+35%), while North America saw a 5.6% decline—its first drop since September 2023.
  • Tesla’s market share slipped amid competition from legacy automakers in Europe and Chinese brands expanding overseas, with plug-in hybrids driving growth in emerging markets.
  • Trade tensions and policy uncertainty, including U.S. tariffs and shifting emissions standards, are reshaping automaker strategies, with China reinforcing its dominance via subsidies and supply chain control.

[WORLD] Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles surged 29 per cent year-on-year in April, driven by consistent growth in China and Europe, even as geopolitical tensions loom over the market. In contrast, North America posted its first decline since September, according to data released on May 14.

China and Europe continue to chart a path of steady expansion in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, albeit for different reasons. China benefits from sustained domestic demand and ongoing government subsidies, while Europe’s gains are underpinned by strict emissions targets and strong consumer adoption. North America’s dip reflects broader uncertainty, shaped by inconsistent policy support and concerns around charging infrastructure.

In Europe, legacy carmakers pushing to meet EU carbon targets outperformed Tesla in EV sales. Tesla’s market share continues to erode ahead of a refresh of its flagship Model Y, noted Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion.

Analysts attribute Tesla’s deceleration in part to rising competition from European manufacturers like Volkswagen and Stellantis, which have rolled out more affordable electric options. Chinese automakers including BYD and NIO are also making inroads into the European market, intensifying the competitive landscape.

Back in China, domestic EV manufacturers saw strong demand for battery-powered vehicles, while plug-in hybrids gained momentum in overseas markets, Lester added.

Meanwhile, U.S. import tariffs—set at 25 per cent—have clouded the outlook for global automakers operating in the world’s second-largest auto market. Many manufacturers have withdrawn their 2025 forecasts amid mounting uncertainty.

European and Asian firms have been especially affected, prompting some to consider establishing local production in the U.S. to sidestep the trade barriers. However, the cost and complexity of setting up new facilities have left several automakers in a holding pattern as they await clearer post-election policy signals.

In North America, the EV slowdown has also been influenced by President Donald Trump’s regulatory stance and tariff unpredictability. While recent trade agreements with the UK and China have had limited impact on EV sales, they represent encouraging signs ahead of potential talks with South Korea, Japan, and the EU, Lester said.

Global sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 1.5 million in April, according to Rho Motion. China led the charge, with a 32 per cent increase year-on-year, totalling 0.9 million units sold.

China’s dominance is reinforced by its control of key battery resources and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of global EV output. This has prompted growing concern in Western countries about dependence on Chinese supply chains and spurred calls to accelerate domestic production efforts.

Europe posted a 35 per cent year-on-year rise, registering 0.3 million vehicles sold. North America, however, saw sales slip 5.6 per cent to just over 100,000 units. Elsewhere, the market remained buoyant, with April sales in other regions jumping 50 per cent. “Plug-in hybrids have nearly doubled so far this year in these markets, largely due to Chinese exports,” Lester noted.

Globally, governments are pushing forward with policies to support EV adoption. Yet, experts warn that persistent trade frictions and a cooling auto market may lead to factory shutdowns and potential job losses.

As geopolitical tensions reshape the automotive landscape, industry analysts foresee a shift toward more regionalized supply chains. While such a move may bolster self-reliance, it could also hinder the pace of EV adoption by driving up costs and complicating logistics.

In a bid to sustain momentum, China extended its vehicle trade-in subsidies into 2025 as part of a broader effort to support consumer spending and stimulate economic growth.


Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 30, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

Meta bets big on AI talent—but can it turn ambition into impact?

Meta is spending aggressively—and publicly—on its generative AI push. From billion-dollar investments to US$100 million signing bonuses for top engineers, Mark Zuckerberg’s campaign...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 6:00:00 PM

Xiaomi electric SUV preorders signal a deeper China tech shift

The 289,000 preorders Xiaomi logged for its SU7 electric vehicle in a single hour didn’t just stun the automotive industry. They marked a...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Meta expands renewable energy supply for data centers with invenergy

Meta’s announcement of four new renewable energy contracts—adding 791 megawatts of solar and wind capacity through US-based developer Invenergy—is more than a sustainability...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

UN agency renews AI ethics push at Bangkok forum amid intensifying US-China tech rivalry

UNESCO’s forum on AI ethics, held this week in Bangkok, may have spotlighted noble ideals—but it also laid bare the fragmented reality of...

Tech Europe
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

Apple reshapes EU App Store model in response to antitrust ruling

Apple's latest response to EU regulation isn’t just a rulebook adjustment. It’s a high-stakes play to reframe control as compliance—without surrendering the mechanics...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM

TikTok and Instagram chase TV growth—but can they match YouTube’s model?

TikTok and Instagram are pushing beyond the smartphone. Both platforms are reportedly preparing TV apps in an effort to capture longer engagement sessions...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 27, 2025 at 12:30:00 AM

What Apple might do if Google Search becomes a liability

Apple is reportedly building the groundwork for its own search technology, a move long rumored but gaining urgency amid rising antitrust scrutiny of...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 26, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

AI, crypto, and shadow banks are quietly reshaping global financial risk

The global financial system is undergoing a transformation unlike any before. But as innovation accelerates, safeguards have not kept pace. Fledgling artificial intelligence...

Tech United States
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 26, 2025 at 9:30:00 AM

Auto industry pushes back against Trump’s proposed chip tariff

It’s not every day that Tesla, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Taiwan, and crypto lobbying groups find themselves aligned. But that’s exactly what’s...

Tech Europe
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 26, 2025 at 9:30:00 AM

Tech lobby pushes to delay EU AI Act implementation

Europe’s once-heralded AI rulebook is now colliding with a wall of resistance. As the enforcement date looms, CCIA Europe—a powerful lobbying bloc that...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 26, 2025 at 8:00:00 AM

China’s plug-in hybrid shipments surge as EU tariff loophole remains

Europe tried to protect itself from China’s electric vehicle overreach. But Beijing moved faster—and smarter. In May 2025, Chinese plug-in hybrid electric vehicle...

Tech World
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechJune 26, 2025 at 8:00:00 AM

Nvidia surges to record high amid forecast of AI ‘Golden Wave’

Nvidia’s stock has once again broken records, but this isn’t about riding another hype cycle. This is structural. With analysts now describing the...

Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Load More
Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege