Europe’s electric vehicle market closed out 2025 with a surge that’s hard to ignore. More than a quarter of a million new EVs hit the roads in a single month, signalling a shift in consumer behaviour that’s continuing despite political wobbling around long‑term combustion‑engine bans.
EV Momentum Builds as ICE Sales Slip
While some governments have softened their timelines for phasing out internal combustion engines, drivers across Europe seem to be moving on anyway. Petrol and diesel registrations fell sharply, while plug‑in vehicles kept climbing.
Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) led the charge in November 2025, the latest month with complete data, pushing overall market growth even as other segments declined. According to JATO Dynamics, BEV sales jumped 37% year‑on‑year, capturing 23.5% of the market, a rise of nearly six percentage points compared with November 2024.
Daniele Ministeri, senior consultant at JATO Dynamics, noted that the numbers reflect a continued manufacturer focus on electrification, even in the face of political uncertainty. New incentives in several countries have also helped boost demand.
A Record Month for BEVs
Across the “Europe‑28” region, including the UK, 252,336 BEVs were registered in November alone. The UK stood out in particular, with EVs making up half of all new cars sold that month.
Plug‑in hybrids (PHEVs) also saw strong momentum. With 113,019 registrations, the segment grew 35% year‑on‑year, securing a 10.5% market share.
ICE Vehicles Continue Their Decline
The contrast with traditional combustion engines is stark. Petrol and diesel models fell 20% compared with November 2024. Even so, ICE vehicles still represented 30.6% of all registrations – 329,064 units – showing that while the decline is steady, it’s far from complete.
Ministeri highlighted why manufacturers remain committed to electrification: “Even though EU CO₂ penalties are now being assessed over a three‑year period, OEMs are continuing to prioritise BEVs because they are essential for lowering average fleet emissions and avoiding regulatory fines.”
He also pointed to improving, if still slow, charging infrastructure and new national incentives, such as those introduced in Italy, as key drivers of BEV growth.
The Road Ahead
Despite ICE vehicles remaining the single largest powertrain category in November 2025, the direction of travel is unmistakable. Registrations are falling, incentives are rising, and infrastructure is gradually catching up. The surge in EV sales at the end of 2025 suggests that Europe’s transition to electric mobility is not just policy‑driven, it’s increasingly consumer‑led.
