Legacy car brands lead global EV sales boom

• Ford EV sales were 324% higher in the first six months of 2025 than 2024
• Car manufacturers transitioning to EVs could increase UK economic output by £16bn
• It could also create upwards of 167,000 new jobs

The biggest car manufacturers in Europe more than doubled their electric vehicle (EV) sales in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to analysis of global sales from New Automotive. 

The data reveals that some companies have even quadrupled their sales, with the likes of Ford, Renault and Mini seemingly making a successful shift towards sustainability. 

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Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said “traditional brands” are “fighting back” and “dramatically increasing the number of EVs they sell.” 

“Legacy manufacturers are proving more than capable of making the transition to building the electric cars of the future with European manufacturers dominating,” Walker said.

Ford saw a slow start to 2024, starting the year with just one EV model on sale, but in the first six months of 2025, sales were 324% higher as the legacy manufacturer introduced new models such as the affordable Ford Puma Gen-E. 

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In another instance, Mini has seen a 160% increase in EV sales, building many at its plant in Oxford. European manufacturers dominate the rest of the list:

• Renault: 251% increase
• Porsche: 203% increase
• VW: 201% increase
• Skoda: 143% increase
• Peugeot: 112% increase 
• Cupra: 109% increase

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.”

However, other major manufacturers have experienced the worst performing car sales. Honda’s EV sales were down 92% in the first six months of 2025 compared to 2024, Mazda fell by 76% and Toyota experienced a 41% fall. 

Nissan saw a 69% fall but upgrades to its factory in Sunderland are currently underway in order to build three new EV models – the new Leaf, the new Qashqai, and the new Juke. It’s likely that these models will drive significant uptake in Nissan EV sales, as well as solidifying the status of British EV manufacturing in the North East. 

BYD, relatively new to the European market but well established in China, have seen an increase in sales, while other Chinese manufacturers such as MG experienced a 35% fall in EV sales. 

In a report commissioned by the ECIU, CBI Economics revealed the dangers to the UK economy should the motor industry fail to transition to EVs. Its contribution to the UK economy could fall by as much as 73%, or £34.1bn, with over 400,000 jobs lost as a result. On the other hand, economic output could see a £16bn increase, with 167,000 new jobs created, should a successful transition occur. 

Walker said that the stakes for the car industry “could not be higher,” explaining how CBI Economics analysis shows “the UK’s car industry can only survive and thrive if it makes a rapid transition to building electric vehicles.”

He said that “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.”

The Government has been called upon for critical support in bolstering the economy and supporting EVs, including the need for a stable and regulatory environment. This is currently upheld by schemes such as the ZEV Mandate, but more has to be done to meet climate goals and reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Written By

Louise Frohlich Editorial Assistant

Joining Eco Experts in April 2024 as Editorial Assistant, Louise has a keen interest in low-carbon technology and enjoys writing about anything sustainability related.

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Reviewed By

Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Content manager

Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining, and retail. He has also written extensively for consumer titles like City AM, The Morning Star, and The Daily Express.

In 2020, he covered in detail the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) legislation on sulphur emissions and its effects on the global container shipping market as online editor of Port Technology International.

He also explored the initiatives major container ports and terminals have launched in order to ship vital goods across the world without polluting the environment.

Since then, he has reported heavily on the impact made by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on the supply chain of minerals, with a particular focus on rare earth mining in Africa.

As part of this, in 2022 Max visited mines and ports in Angola to hone in on the challenges being faced by one of the world’s biggest producers of rare earth minerals.

His most recent sustainability-related work came much closer to home, as he investigated the eco-challenges faced by independent retailers in the UK, specifically looking at how they can cut emissions and continue to thrive.

Max lives in South London and is an avid reader of books on modern history and ghost stories. He has also recently learned to play the game Mahjong and takes every opportunity to do so. He is also yet to find a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching.

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