Global electric vehicle sales increased 18% in January

By Alessandro Parohi

(Reuters) – Global electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales rose 18% year-on-year in January as Europe and the US growth surpassed China for the first time since February last year, research firm Rho Motion said on Wednesday I did.

The European auto market began the year on a strong footing as CO2 emissions targets came into effect in the European Union, but China’s New Year holidays fell below 43% from the month of 43% of the country’s sales I’ve done it, said Rho Motion Data Manager Charles Lester.

Why is it important?

Governments around the world have adopted a variety of policies to promote trade tensions and slowing the auto market, foreshadowing plant closures and thousands of unemployment.

China expanded its auto trade subsidies in 2025 as part of its expansion of its consumer trade scheme in January, reviving economic growth while avoiding a slowdown in EV sales.

In the same month, Europe began new consultations with automotive sector executives, unions and interest groups on CO2 emissions targets.

By numbers

According to RHO motion data, global sales of fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose 17.7% year-on-year to 1.3 million in January, in three months of slow growth. It has increased to 1.3 million people.

China’s sales increased 11.8% year-on-year to 700,000 vehicles that month.

Europe reported sales of 0.25 million, up 21% from the same month in 2024.

Among the main markets on the continent, France fell 52% due to the introduction of a weight tax on PHEVS, but Germany rose by more than 40% as EV subsidies suddenly ended in January 2024. The movement said.

In the US and Canada, EV sales rose 22.1% to 0.13 million in January.

Other parts of the world saw sales increase by 50% in January.

Monthly, global sales fell 35%, down 43% in China compared to December.

(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi of Gdansk, edited by Emelia Site-Matarise)