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In the first four months of 2025, electric vehicle (EV) market shares in major European countries have shown a robust growth trend, with significant variations between nations. According to recent data, the UK leads the pack with a 30.3% market share, followed closely by Germany (27.2%), France (23.6%), and Spain (14.7%). However, Italy lags behind its European counterparts, with a significantly lower EV market share.
This disparity can be attributed to the delayed implementation of the Italian Government's EV purchase incentives, known as the Ecobonus, which only came into effect in June 2023. As a result, EV registrations in Italy have seen a significant drop in the first five months of 2025 compared to 2023.
Despite this setback, there are signs of recovery. In April 2025, BEV registrations in Italy increased by 108.2% year on year, with 6,643 units delivered. Furthermore, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) deliveries in Italy increased by 77%, with 31,636 units delivered in the year to date (January-April 2025). In particular, April 2025 saw a 77% increase in PHEV deliveries compared to April 2024, reaching 7,818 units.
The resurgence of PHEVs in June 2025 is a Europe-wide trend, with registrations surging 38% compared to BEVs, which only rose 14% in the same month. This shift towards PHEVs reflects consumer preference for versatile vehicles amid infrastructural challenges and cautious uptake in some markets.
Overall, major European countries are experiencing a continued transition to electrified vehicles. While fully electric vehicle adoption strongly leads in Northern Europe and parts of Western Europe, plug-in and traditional hybrids remain highly relevant, especially in countries like France and Germany where infrastructure or policy adjustments impact BEV sales momentum.
In Italy, hybrid vehicles were the dominant powertrain in April 2025, accounting for 44% of all new cars sold, up from 39.6% in April 2024. Adding hybrid vehicle registrations to the overall EV numbers, over half of all new cars were electrified in Italy in April 2025 (54.4%).
Roberto Vavassori, president of ANFIA (Italian National Federation of the Motor and Equipment Industries), stated that the trend in registrations of plug-in cars, particularly for BEVs, continues, but the market shares are still moderate.
In the year to date (January-April 2025), the total number of EVs delivered in Italy was 56,070 units, an increase of 59.5%. Despite this growth, ICE-powered vehicles still account for a majority of the market, making up 37.7% of the market, down from 45.6% in April 2024. Diesel models saw a greater drop of 26.3%, taking a 10.3% share, down 4pp.
The Italian new-car market showed a 2.7% year-on-year growth in April 2025, with 139,142 units delivered. As the Ecobonus continues to encourage EV adoption in Italy, it is expected that the country will gradually close the gap with its leading European counterparts in the adoption of electrified vehicles.
Sources: [1] European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) [2] Reuters [3] Autocar Italia [4] Eurobarometer survey on Mobility and Transport in Europe
- The growth trend in electric vehicle market shares in major European countries, particularly in Italy, can be linked to the delayed implementation of the Italian Government's EV purchase incentives.
- In April 2025, there was a notable increase in both BEV and PHEV registrations in Italy, suggesting a recovery in the EV market after a slump in the first five months of the year.
- The surge in PHEV registrations in June 2025 is a Europe-wide trend, indicating a growing consumer preference for versatile electric vehicles amid infrastructural challenges and cautious uptake in some markets.
- Despite the significant growth in EV deliveries in Italy in the first four months of 2025, internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles still account for a majority of the market, although their share has decreased compared to the previous year.
