In response to JATO Dynamics’ information for 28 European nations*, new passenger automotive registrations in Europe remained secure final month. In April, a complete of 1,078,521 new automobiles had been registered, 1,399 extra models than the identical month in 2024. Yr-to-date registrations, protecting the interval between January and April 2025, totalled 4,467,681 models, or simply 6,560 greater than throughout the identical interval of 2024.
“Whereas the electrical car phase was a brilliant spot for Europe’s new passenger automotive market final month, these good points had been offset by important declines amongst ICE automobiles. EV gross sales must develop a lot quicker to have a real affect on the broader European automotive market,” stated Felipe Munoz, World Analyst at JATO Dynamics.
China’s Plan B in Europe
Tariffs imposed by the European Union on electrical automobiles made in China earlier this yr had an preliminary unfavourable affect on the gross sales of Chinese language automakers, forcing these carmakers to search for different options. A lot of its carmakers promoting automobiles in Europe have since responded by increasing and diversifying their European line-up with the introduction of plug-in hybrids, which haven’t but been focused by EU tariffs.
“China just isn’t solely the world chief in BEVs; its automakers are international leaders in plug-in hybrid automobiles too. To achieve traction in Europe, its carmakers have responded to the risk posed by tariffs by specializing in different powertrains, comparable to plug-in hybrids, to keep up the momentum behind their international growth plans,” Munoz added.
In April 2025, battery electrical automobiles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electrical automobiles (PHEVs) mixed accounted for 26% of latest automotive registrations in Europe, a brand new file, with Chinese language automotive manufacturers behind a lot of this progress. BEVs accounted for 17% of this complete, up from 13.4% in April 2024, whereas plug-in hybrids represented 9% of month-to-month registrations, up from 6.9% within the corresponding month final yr.
Regardless of the imposition of tariffs by the EU, registrations of electrical automobiles made by Chinese language automakers in April rose by 59% yr on yr, reaching nearly 15,300 models. Inside this phase, carmakers from Europe, Japan, Korea and the US recorded a rise of 26%.
The PHEV phase noticed a notable growth, as volumes from Chinese language gamers elevated by 546% yr on yr, from 1,493 models in April 2024 to 9,649 models in April 2025, which means Chinese language automotive manufacturers now account for nearly 10% of the entire variety of PHEVs registered in Europe. “It stays to be seen whether or not the EU will reply to the increase in Chinese language-made PHEVs by imposing tariffs on these automobiles too,” Munoz commented.
BYD goes from power to power, Tesla languishes
“Though the distinction between the 2 manufacturers’ month-to-month gross sales totals could also be small, the implications are huge. This can be a watershed second for Europe’s automotive market, significantly when you think about that Tesla has led the European BEV marketplace for years, whereas BYD solely formally started operations past Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022,” Munoz famous.
Tesla reported one other month-to-month drop in April, with complete volumes down 49% yr on yr. In distinction, BYD noticed a rise of 359% over the identical interval due to its broad and aggressive line up of totally electrical automobiles and plug-in hybrids. BYD’s speedy growth has already pushed it forward of established European automotive manufacturers – outselling Fiat, Dacia, and Seat within the UK; Fiat and Seat in France; Seat in Italy; and Fiat in Spain. This progress comes even earlier than manufacturing begins at its new plant in Hungary.
The Renault Clio leads for the primary time since 2020
The Renaut Clio was Europe’s most registered automotive in April, with 19,000 models of the French subcompact registered. The Clio has not led the mannequin rankings since June 2020, having misplaced floor in recent times to its low-cost rival, the Dacia Sandero – Europe’s best-seller in 2024.
Nonetheless, the standout performer of the month was arguably the Volkswagen Tiguan, in fourth place, with registrations up by 32% to 16,300 models. Different sturdy performers embody the Toyota Yaris Cross, Dacia Duster, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 3008, Jeep Avenger and Mini Cooper.
The Skoda Elroq led the BEV mannequin rankings for the primary time, with 8,000 models – vindicating the model’s choice to introduce an SUV that sits between the B and C segments. Three Volkswagen fashions adopted within the rankings, whereas the Volkswagen ID.7 elevated its volumes by 640% to occupy third place. Renault registered greater than 5,600 models of the Renault 5, the sixth most registered electrical car in Europe final month, whereas Kia’s just lately launched EV3 additionally made the highest ten. Against this, volumes of the Tesla Mannequin Y and the Volvo EX30 dropped by 53% and 57%, respectively.
*estimations for Slovakia
SOURCE: JATO Dynamics
