Global electric vehicle (EV) sales have experienced a significant increase in early 2025, with a 29% rise in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, totaling 4.1 million units sold. China led the market with 2.4 million units, followed by Europe with 900,000, North America with 500,000, and other regions accounting for the remaining 300,000.
China’s EV market saw a 36% year-on-year growth, selling nearly 1 million electric vehicles in March alone. This surge is attributed to government incentives and a strong push towards electrification. Europe also reported robust growth, with a 27% increase in EV sales. Countries like Germany, Italy, and the UK saw significant upticks, with Italy experiencing a remarkable 64% jump in battery electric vehicle sales.
North America’s EV growth reached 16%, but was slowed by policy uncertainties and the imposition of new tariffs. The U.S. government’s recent 25% tariff on foreign auto imports has disrupted supply chains and raised vehicle prices. These measures, while intended to strengthen domestic production, have led to concerns about affordability and accessibility. Tesla, for instance, faces mounting difficulties with its U.S.-made models in China, where tariffs could nearly double prices of its flagship vehicles.
The rise in EV sales underscores a broader shift in global mobility, though not without contradictions. While governments push green transitions, markets remain entangled in protectionist policies, corporate lobbying, and monopolistic practices. The transition to electric is increasingly shaped not by environmental urgency but by strategic control over technology, minerals, and global influence—benefiting corporate elites and centralized regimes rather than empowering local economies or serving real ecological balance.