Global EV Sales Climb in April — Even as Trade Tensions Hit North America

Why It Happened

Despite ongoing global trade disruptions and a 25% U.S. import tariff on foreign EVs, global electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rose 29% year-over-year in April, according to data from Rho Motion.

The surge was largely driven by strong consumer demand in China and Europe, where government incentives and regulatory pressure on emissions continue to fuel the shift to greener mobility. Meanwhile, North American sales dipped amid growing policy uncertainty under U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff regime and rollback of emissions standards.

What’s Happening Now

• Global EV + PHEV sales hit 1.5 million units in April
  
  • China: 32% YoY growth (0.9 million vehicles)
    
  • Europe: 35% YoY growth (0.3 million vehicles), with legacy automakers outperforming Tesla
    
  • North America: Sales fell 5.6% (0.1 million vehicles), the first drop since Sept 2024
    
  • Rest of the world: 50% YoY rise

Tesla, once the EV market leader, continues to lose market share in Europe, especially as legacy automakers push to meet EU carbon emission targets. The anticipation of a Model Y revamp may have also caused buyers to delay purchases.

China’s automakers, such as BYD and others, are seeing growing success in both domestic battery-EV sales and plug-in hybrid exports, especially in emerging markets.

What It Means for the Future

• North American EV growth could slow further unless policy direction stabilizes. Tariffs and regulatory uncertainty are making it harder for automakers to forecast 2025, with many withdrawing or revising outlooks.
  
• Europe and China remain strongholds for EV adoption, buoyed by emissions regulations and continued subsidy support (e.g., China’s auto trade-in scheme extended into 2025).
  
• Plug-in hybrids are booming, especially outside major markets, largely due to Chinese exports, which are giving the segment a massive lift in developing countries.
  

Future global EV policy may hinge on upcoming trade talks between the U.S. and nations like Korea, Japan, and the EU. Though recent deals with China and the UK are minor in immediate impact, they’re a positive signal for global EV trade stability.

Source: Reuters

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