22 September 2025
As deliveries of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) surge in July, the Skoda Elroq led Europe’s all-electric market. Meanwhile, the battle at the top of the PHEV standings intensified. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker breaks down the figures from EV Volumes.
Europe’s PHEV market recorded its biggest monthly growth since June 2021, according to EV Volumes. Totals soared by 53.5% year-on-year in July, with 112,612 units hitting the roads. The performance continues a run of double-digit PHEV improvements that began in March, following two monthly declines.
BEVs did not manage the same level of growth. However, they have been more consistent, with double-digit increases every month so far this year. Compared to 12 months prior, all-electric deliveries rose by 33% in July, with 186,682 units. This was the biggest BEV improvement since January.
BEVs were also the fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) technology across the first seven months of the year. However, the gap closed considerably in July.
There were a total of 1,389,238 all-electric registrations from January to July, equating to a year-on-year improvement of 26.1%. Meanwhile, PHEV sales increased by 25.8% with 707,076 units.
Skoda’s BEV success
The Skoda Elroq led Europe’s BEV market for the second time this year. The model only began deliveries in November 2024 and first exceeded 1,000 monthly registrations in February 2025.
The C-Segment SUV posted 8,680 registrations in July, giving it a market share of 4.6%. Since April, the last time it took the best-selling BEV mantle, the Elroq has not finished outside of the top three.
The Czech model was ahead of its closest competitor and stablemate, the Skoda Enyaq, by 1,733 units. Its 6,947-unit total was an improvement of 47.3% year on year. The D-Segment SUV captured 3.7% of overall BEV volumes, up by 0.3 percentage points (pp) compared to one year prior.
After leading the market in January, the Enyaq’s sales pace may have been somewhat cannibalised by the Elroq. Further pressure on the SUV volumes may come in 2026, with the planned production of the Skoda Epiq, a city SUV.
What is in a name?
Volkswagen (VW) rounded out the top three with ID.3. Totalling 6,415 sales, this nearly doubled its total from July 2024, with an uptick of 91.7%. In turn, its market hold rose by 1pp to 3.4%.
VW recently announced a new naming strategy, opting for names instead of numbers to differentiate between its EV models. However, next year’s updated ID.3 will not receive the ‘Golf’ badge, according to Autocar.
Just two units behind in fourth was the BMW iX1, its best finishing position so far this year. The C-Segment SUV scored 6,413 sales in July, an increase of 43.1% from 12 months ago. The figure was also the BEV’s highest delivery total since December 2023. It represented 3.4% of the market, up from 3.2%.
The premium model will soon face strong internal competition, as the BMW iX3 is set to enter production in October. The iX3, which was unveiled at IAA Mobility, will be the first model to use BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. This provides the SUV with an improved powertrain and upgraded technology.
Next up was the combined total of the Renault 5 and the Alpine A290. The duo recorded 6,259 registrations in July, taking a 3.4% share. This time last year, the two hatchbacks were beginning a delivery ramp-up in Europe.
BEVs face internal competition
The VW ID.4 secured sixth, with 6,150 sales, an improvement of 16.7% year on year. This was 797 units behind fellow-VW Group offering, the Skoda Enyaq. The model made up 3.3% of the BEV total. However, due to increased market competition, this was a drop of 0.5pp on July 2024.
Behind was the Kia EV3. The Korean SUV posted 5,643 units in its 10th month of European deliveries. This translated to a 3% market share. The model could face additional sales pressure from its EV2 sibling, which is set for production next year.
VW’s ID.7 landed in eighth, which saw its volumes surge 157.4% compared to one year prior, with 5,625 registrations. In turn, its market hold rose by 1.4pp to 3%.
The Tesla Model Y came ninth, its joint lowest finishing position so far in 2025. This came after leading the market in June and May, clearly showing the crossover’s quarterly delivery pattern. Its total of 5,559 sales equated to a drop of 43.1% year on year. The Model Y represented 3% of the market, down from 7%.
The Audi Q4 e-tron completed July’s BEV top 10, with 4,642 sales. This equated to a decline of 15.3% compared to one year ago. In turn, its market share fell from 3.9% to 2.5%.
PHEV victory for VW
The VW Tiguan was Europe’s best-selling PHEV in July, its second consecutive month of leading the market. This was thanks to 5,791 registrations, representing a surge of 656% year on year. The SUVs market share rose by 4.1pp to 5.1%.
Second was the BYD Seal U, with 5,175 units. The Chinese model continues to perform strongly in its breakout year, remaining inside the top three since March. It captured 4.6% of the PHEV total.
Taking third was the Volvo XC60, posting 4,249 deliveries. This was a 2.1% decline in volumes, while its market share dropped by 2.1pp to 3.8%. Fourth was the Ford Kuga, scoring 4,064 sales in July. This translated to a year-on-year drop of 6.3%. The SUV made up 3.6% of PHEV volumes, down from 5.9%.
MG’s record result
The MG eHS finished fifth, its highest finishing position of 2025 so far. It posted a record 3,895 registrations, up 329.4% compared to 12 months prior. The SUV represented 3.5% of total sales, up 1.3pp.
In sixth was the BMW X1, which improved volumes by 4.1% with 3,602 units. This was not enough to stop its market share slipping from 4.7% to 3.2%.
The Toyota RAV4 followed in seventh, the SUV’s first appearance in the top 10 so far this year. Its 3,376-unit total was up 169.6% compared to July 2024. This gave the model a 3% market hold, up 1.3pp.
Eighth went to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which saw deliveries fall 5.2% to 3,347 units. The SUV captured 3% of total PHEV volumes, up from 4.8%.
The Hyundai Tucson claimed ninth, marking its third top 10 finish of 2025 so far. The Korean model achieved a 70.4% year-on-year growth in sales to 3,018 units. In turn, its market hold rose by 0.3pp to 2.7%.
Toyota’s C-HR secured tenth, its lowest monthly placement this year. However, the Japanese SUV did improve volumes by 79.8%, with 2,841 deliveries.
Tesla leads BEVs despite fall
Despite slipping in monthly rankings, the Tesla Model Y still dominated the year-to-date BEV chart. The crossover held a 5.4% share of the BEV total, thanks to 74,847 registrations.
This was nearly 29,000 deliveries ahead of the VW ID.4 in second. Despite a relatively average month of sales, it moved up one position from June, as other models endured poorer results. Its 46,041-unit total translated to a 3.3% share.
The combined registrations of Renault 5 and the Alpine A290 placed third, also gaining one spot from June. The hatchback recorded 44,893 sales and a 3.2% market share. The Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.3 both jumped up two spots to fourth and fifth, respectively.
These positive performances came at the expense of two models, the VW ID.7 and the Tesla Model 3. The former fell from fifth to sixth in the year-to-date table, while the US sedan dropped from second. This fall is unsurprising, with the BEV finishing 17th in July.
Fast approaching the higher positions was the Skoda Elroq, up one place to eighth. Just 3,644 units behind its VW Group sibling in second, meaning it could make significant progress if it continues to post strong volumes.
In turn, the Kia EV3 fell to ninth. The iX1 re-entered the table in 10th, at the expense of the Audi Q4 e-tron.
PHEVs continue close battle
The fight for Europe’s best-selling PHEV continues to be closely contested in 2025. Just 2,513 units separate the top three. However, the gap grew slightly in July as the VW Tiguan extended its lead. The SUV scored 34,966 sales from January to July, giving it a 4.9% market share.
The Volvo XC60 held onto second, thanks to 33,436 registrations, translating to a 4.7% market hold. Behind, the BYD Seal U gained ground, representing 4.6% of total PHEV sales with 32,453 units.
The year-to-date standings remained the same from positions four to seven. The Ford Kuga slipped away from the lead battle in fourth, followed by the BMW X1. Then came the Toyota C-HR in sixth and the Mercedes-Benz GLC in seventh.
After a strong result, the MG eHS jumped from 10th to eighth in July. This meant the Cupra Formentor and BMW 5-Series dropped to ninth and 10th, respectively.
