Last month, UK broke a new record for the number of EVs registered in a single month: 68,000, more than 20% higher than the previous record set in September 2024.
Figures to be released this morning by the SMMT will show that completed a winning Q1 for EVs, which saw the UK register more BEV cars in three months than Norway did in the whole of 2024 and it came despite a slowdown in EV market leader Tesla’s sales, which stood still in March, growing only slightly over the whole quarter.
March saw BEV car registrations grow in line with the other months of this year, by 38% (up by 18,500 units). This is approximately in line with the kind of growth that will be required to meet ZEV mandate targets. This was driven by significant growth in EV registrations from manufacturers Volkswagen, whose EV registrations grew by over 200% in Q1. BYD also saw significant growth in EV sales, with Q1 sales increasing 350% to 5,235. Taking into account their plug-in hybrid registrations, in Q1 they exceeded their total sales over the whole of 2024.
According to preliminary estimates, Light Vehicle (LV) sales grew by 11.2% year-on-year (YoY) in March, to 1.61 mn units.
In the US, March 2025 had one fewer selling day than the same month a year earlier but there was a clear pull-forward in sales as consumers sought to make purchases before tariffs were applied and an immediate beneficiary was Mazda which hit an all time record monthly sale achieved of nearly 43,100 units.
The slowing demand for BEVs has been recognised by the supplier or component makers who are now advocating hybrids should form the bulk of developments, particularly as the ev-charging network develops.
CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, acknowledges the European Commission’s latest amendment to the CO2 standards for cars and vans. While the introduction of an averaging mechanism for emissions reduction is a positive step, CLEPA emphasises that short-term measures must be part of a broader technology-neutral ambition. A market-aligned and feasible transition requires diverse technological solutions.
“While the EU rightly pursues climate neutrality, we must acknowledge that consumers and markets are signaling a strong preference for a diverse mix of technologies.
True progress means embracing all viable solutions—whether hybrid, electric, or CO2-neutral fuels—on equal footing under a technology-neutral framework.
Demand for hybrid vehicles is rising in key markets like China and the U.S., while interest in battery electric vehicles has stagnated. Increasing technology choices will support certainty” said Benjamin Krieger, CLEPA’s Secretary General.
A recent Deloitte study reinforces this shift, showing declining demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in China, the U.S., India, Korea, and Japan, while hybrid solutions are gaining traction as a pragmatic alternative.
“Hybrids are proving to be a ‘best of both worlds’ solution—reducing emissions and fuel consumption without the constraints of charging infrastructure,” added Benjamin Krieger. “Europe’s automotive suppliers stand ready to innovate, but we need a regulatory environment that supports all viable technologies. The Commission must send a clear signal that technology neutrality is a priority.”
To ensure a balanced, consumer-oriented, and effective transition to clean mobility, CLEPA urges policymakers to take decisive action:
Short-term measure: Maintain the 2024 Utility Factor for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the Type-Approval regulation to safeguard their role in reducing emissions.
Long-term vision: Conduct a substantial revision of the CO2 regulations by the end of the year, ensuring a strong, technology-neutral framework to support the clean transition towards 2035. Introduce clear legal requirements and explicitly recognise “vehicles running exclusively on CO2-neutral fuels” in the regulatory framework.
