Electric Vehicles Outsell Gasoline Autos in EU for First Time

Chinese company BYD saw a 229 percent rise in vehicle registrations in December 2025, while U.S.-based Tesla fell by 20 percent.

Volkswagen's new electric car, the ID.EVERY1, is unveiled in Dusseldorf, Germany, on March 5, 2025. Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

Sales of electric cars overtook those of gasoline-powered vehicles in the European Union in December 2025, for the first time, according to data published on Tuesday.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, which represents 17 car, truck, and bus manufacturers in the 27-member bloc, said 217,898 battery electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in December 2025, compared to 216,492 petrol (gasoline) cars.