UK Electric Car Sales Reach 100,000 in Record March 2025

Key Takeaways

1. UK electric vehicle (EV) sales surged to 100,000 units in March 2025, significantly outpacing the rest of Europe.
2. Fully electric car sales in the UK rose by 41% in Q1 2025, compared to 22% growth in Europe and 29% globally.
3. France experienced an 18% decrease in EV sales due to cuts in subsidies, while Germany and Italy saw increases of 37% and 64%, respectively.
4. Rho Motion’s Charles Lester noted that subsidy cuts negatively impact the EV market’s competitiveness against internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
5. China achieved 36% growth in EV sales in Q1 2025, with nearly one million units sold in March, unaffected by US-China trade tensions.

The UK is seeing a surge in clean vehicle sales as electric vehicle (EV) purchases hit 100,000 units in a record-setting March 2025. Data from Rho Motion indicates that this growth has outpaced the rest of Europe significantly.

Sales Growth Compared to Europe

In the first quarter of 2025, sales of fully electric cars in the UK rose by 41%, while Europe overall saw a growth of only 22% and the global average was at 29%. In contrast, French dealerships reported an 18% decrease in EV sales during this period after incentives were cut. However, Germany and Italy experienced notable increases, with sales climbing by 37% and 64%, respectively.

Insights from Rho Motion

Rho Motion’s data manager, Charles Lester, highlighted the situation, saying, “This quarter, while turbulent, has seen a strong rate of growth globally for the EV market. Some countries, such as the UK, had a record-breaking March as drivers continue to go electric.” Lester also pointed out that the withdrawal of subsidies in France has led to a significant decline in sales.

Lester further elaborated on the implications of subsidy cuts, stating, “What is sure is that the electric vehicle market is already struggling to compete with ICE on cost, so reductions in subsidies and hefty tariffs for a very international supply chain are guaranteed to have a cooling effect on the industry.”

Developments in China

On the other hand, China recorded a remarkable 36% growth in EV sales in the first quarter, with nearly one million units sold in March alone. Rho Motion anticipates that the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US will have little effect on China’s electric vehicle market performance.

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