EV Market Surges

EV Market Trends

The European electric vehicle (EV) market had a significant uptick in March 2025, marking the second-highest month ever recorded for EV sales. With 240,891 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered, this represents a 23% increase compared to the previous year and grabs a noteworthy 17% of the vehicle market share. Although it fell short of the December 2022 peak of 275,108 units, it set the stage for a record-breaking first quarter in EV history.

Tesla Sales

Despite Tesla’s strong historical performance in the BEV sector, the brand faced a bit of a downturn. In March, Tesla still topped the monthly sales leaderboard but found itself in second place for the quarter behind Volkswagen (VW). Tesla logged 53,237 unit sales, reflecting a substantial 38% decline. Months leading to this also showed downward trends, with January down 47% and February down 44% from last year.

VW’s Growth

Volkswagen’s aggressive growth strategy paid off as it dethroned Tesla as the top BEV seller in Q1. VW experienced a whopping 157% increase, shifting 65,679 units. Other key players like BMW saw a 21% rise with 46,557 units, while Audi and Renault also recorded notable sales increases, at 51% and 89% respectively.

Individual Models

On the individual model front, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 still lead in popularity. However, despite the hype around Tesla’s newly updated Model Y Juniper, its March sales fell 43% below last year’s numbers. In contrast, VW’s models like the ID.4, ID.7, and ID.3 are climbing up the ranks, making the top 10 BEV chart for Q1.

Sales in the U.S.

Over in the U.S., the EV market also saw upward ticks. The first quarter of 2025 saw sales of 296,227 units, an 11.4% rise. Tesla continues to hold a substantial market share of 43.5%, although the brand also faces a slight decrease of 8.6% compared to last year.

Market Dynamics

Overall car sales in Europe, regardless of powertrain, reported a moderate increase in March with 1,423,340 units, paving the way for a slightly positive Q1. Yet, not all brands are on the rise. Maserati, Mitsubishi, Smart, Lancia, Abarth, and Jaguar have all seen varying degrees of sales decline this quarter.

Driving Experience

When it comes to driving these EVs, the Tesla Model Y continues to be a thrill behind the wheel, offering swift acceleration and a smooth, quiet drive. It’s comparable to the driving experience one would expect from high-end sedans. Meanwhile, VW’s ID lineup is equally compelling but focuses more on family-friendly comfort and cutting-edge cabin tech, offering a different driving pleasure that’s more relaxed and cushy.