UK Carmakers Surge as EV Sales Soar to More Than Double in Early 2025

Image Credit: BMW Group

Halfway through the year, new EV sales data from New Automotive paints a clear picture of which carmakers are embracing the electric future and which are being left behind. The findings reveal a dramatic split between manufacturers that are doubling down on electric vehicle production and those that are struggling to keep pace as the world shifts away from petrol and diesel.

Every single one of the ten best-performing manufacturers has more than doubled its EV sales in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. A few have done far more than that, posting increases of three- or even four-fold.

Ford stands out as the biggest comeback story. After limping through 2024 with only one electric model on the market, the American giant has staged a remarkable turnaround. In the first half of this year, Ford sold 324 per cent more EVs than in the same period last year, boosted by the arrival of fresh models such as the sub-£30,000 Ford Puma Gen-E.

Mini, which builds many of its electric cars at its Oxford plant, has posted an impressive 160 per cent rise in sales. Renault has seen an even larger leap at 251 per cent, while Porsche’s numbers have climbed 203 per cent. Volkswagen is up 201 per cent, Skoda 143 per cent, Peugeot 112 per cent, and Cupra 109 per cent — proof that much of the EV momentum is currently in the hands of European brands.

But while some companies are riding the wave, others are taking on water. Japanese manufacturers have fared worst in this year’s rankings. Honda’s EV sales have plummeted 92 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared with last year, while Mazda has recorded a 76 per cent drop.

Nissan’s sales are down 69 per cent, although the company is in the middle of retooling its Sunderland factory to build three new electric models — the next-generation Leaf, Qashqai, and Juke. Those vehicles are expected to give Nissan’s UK sales a significant lift and reinforce the North East as a central hub for British EV manufacturing.

Toyota’s EV sales have slipped 41 per cent. Chinese brand MG, despite experiencing strong growth in earlier years, has seen its sales fall by 35 per cent. BYD is one of the few exceptions in this slower group, recording an increase; however, the overall message is clear: the global EV race is accelerating, and the gap between leaders and laggards is widening rapidly.

Commenting on the results, Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “Traditional brands are fighting back, dramatically increasing the number of EVs they sell in what is now the world’s fourth largest EV market. Legacy manufacturers are proving more than capable of making the transition to building the electric cars of the future, with European manufacturers dominating.

“The more EVs sold today means the larger the pool of second-hand EVs available in about three years, and that in turn means more families, the majority of whom buy used cars, getting the opportunity to save hundreds of pounds a year by switching to electric.

“Oxford-based Mini has massively increased its EV sales, while Nissan is in the process of retooling its factory in Sunderland, gearing up to build three new models of EV.

“The stakes for car companies the world over, and the car industry here in the UK, could not be higher. Analysis by CBI Economics shows how the UK’s car industry can only survive and thrive if it makes a rapid transition to building electric vehicles. A refusal to do so and remaining stuck building the petrol and diesel cars of the past would be a recipe for mass redundancies and factory closures. The good news for the UK is that, with the likes of Mini, Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover all making decisive shifts towards building EVs, the UK’s car industry has every chance of securing a successful and prosperous future in an electrified world”.

Ben Nelmes, Chief Executive of New Automotive, said: "The race to go electric is on, and our new data separates the sprinters from the stragglers. It is fantastic to see legacy brands like Ford, Renault, and the UK's own Mini delivering for drivers with a colossal surge in EV sales. The message to the laggards is simple: get on and build the brilliant EVs of the future, or prepare to be left behind”.

A report by CBI Economics for the ECIU revealed that a failure by the car industry to make the transition to manufacturing EVs could see its contributions to the UK economy fall by as much as 73%, or £34.1bn, and over 400,000 jobs could be lost. Conversely, economic output could increase by over £16bn, and 167,000 new jobs could be created, if a rapid and successful transition takes place. Government support is crucial in preventing such an outcome, and this includes maintaining a stable and supportive regulatory environment by keeping measures like the ZEV Mandate in place.