FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

World EV Sales Up

Most regions see first-quarter growth, though trade war, reduced incentives likely to slow adoption.

by Hannah Mitchell
April 15, 2025
World EV Sales Up

First-quarter EV sales in North America rose 16% to half a million, though tariffs and tax break elimination would curb growth.

Credit:

Pexels/Kindel Media

2 min to read


Global electric-vehicle sales jumped in the first quarter, though market analysts expect the growth to slacken as a trade war and reduced incentives are poised to dampen sales.

EV deliveries surged 29% year-over-year to four million, according to data by EV and battery research provider Rho Motion. The growth was led by China, which saw a 36% uptick to 2.4 million.

Ad Loading...

Meanwhile, EV sales in North America rose 16% to half a million. And though about three-fifths of EVs sold in the states are made there, U.S. trade tariffs will likely increase prices of both EVs and gas-powered models, said Rho Motion, which indicated that most of the remaining U.S.-sold EVs are made in Japan, Korea and Mexico.

President Donald Trump signaled on Monday that he’s considering giving automakers a break on 25% auto import tariffs to give them more time to transition overseas production to the U.S. 

But it remains to be seen how the many trade permutations the White House has introduced over the past six weeks would ultimately gel into a long-term policy. The administration also recently stopped providing EV charger development funding to states and aims to eliminate federal tax breaks for EV purchases and leases.

“This quarter, while turbulent, has seen a strong rate of growth globally for the EV market,” said Rho Motion Data Manager Charles Lester.

“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.” 

Ad Loading...

Many European countries saw sharp upsurges in EV adoption in the quarter, the company observed. Germany’s sales grew 37%, Italy’s 64% and the United Kingdom’s 42%. France, though, has ended government incentives for EV purchases and consequently saw an 18% drop in sales, Rho Motion said.

LEARN MORE: EV Owners Stay Loyal to the Segment

 

 

 

  

 

 

More Industry

two men in Army uniforms looking under the hood of a car
Industryby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 10, 2026

From Military Service to Service Bay

Shifting Gears aims to alleviate the strain caused by the auto industry’s technician shortage while easing the sometimes jarring transition that veterans face after leaving the Army.

Read More →
Silver car driving down road with graphic that says “Europe Plugs In”
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 9, 2026

European EV Sales Skyrocket

The EV market on the continent held strong in July with almost 25% of new-car sales being fully electric units, a stark contrast to the U.S., where EV sales declined about 42%.

Read More →
Photo of three Ford mobile service vans parked in lot with a technician standing at the back of each
Industryby Hannah MitchellSeptember 1, 2026

Service on Wheels

More auto dealerships are offering mobile servicing for today’s convenience-minded consumers to boost business and stand out from competition, though it may not fit every store.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front of black car with headlights on.
IndustryAugust 31, 2026

Luxury Auto Group Sells San Diego Stores

A major U.S. luxury automotive group, O’Gara Coach, sold its rooftops in La Jolla, a coastal neighborhood in San Diego, Calif.

Read More →
Drone flying in front of blurry background.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 26, 2026

Parts Delivery Takes Flight

A Detroit auto group has launched an autonomous parts-delivery program using drone technology, thanks to a grant from Michigan’s Advanced Air Mobility Activation Fund.

Read More →
Mechanic holding a vehicle diagnostic device while standing above an open car hood
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 24, 2026

Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High

Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
public electric vehicle charging station with one charger and two parking spots
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 24, 2026

NY Advances Charging Infrastructure

Public EV charging in New York is getting a boost with a new program designed to help public entities cut purchase and installation costs of Level 2 charging stations.

Read More →
Cars from the rear on a Shanghai freeway
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2026

China as Pacesetter

Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.

Read More →
man performing maintenance under a car
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 19, 2026

Find Efficiency in Fixed Ops

A new report shows how service departments can maximize their profitability through efficiency, productivity and the right tools in technicians' hands.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black leather with white trim back passenger seats.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 17, 2026

Closing the Seat Gap

Mass-market brand vehicle seats are outpacing luxury versions when it comes to customer satisfaction, according JD Power research.

Read More →