Best-selling electric car in Europe: Renault 5 E-Tech displaces Tesla and VW from top spot

The Renault 5 E-Tech was the best-selling electric car in Europe in the first half of 2025. According to management consultancy PwC, the French model took first place in Germany, France, Spain and Italy, beating the Tesla Model Y and the VW ID.3. The market launch of the reimagined classic has been a clear success for Renault.

More electric cars sold

The PwC analysis is based on new registration figures from 40 international markets. According to figures, sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Germany rose by 35% to 249,000 units in the first half of the year. This puts Germany ahead of the United Kingdom in terms of absolute sales figures, which, despite lower unit sales, reached a higher BEV market share of 22%. In Germany, the share is approximately 18%.

Fewer combustion engines registered

In the five largest European markets combined, BEV registrations increased by 25% during the same period. For the first time, the 1.2 million newly registered electric vehicles mark was exceeded across Europe in the space of six months. At the same time, the downward trend for combustion engines continued: in the top five markets, sales fell for the sixth consecutive quarter, with the latest recording a 24% drop.

Volkswagen Group with the greatest model diversity

Despite the strong position of the Renault 5 E-Tech, Volkswagen Group remains the leader in model diversity. Six of the ten best-selling electric cars in Europe come from VW, Skoda and Cupra. BMW is also in the top lists with the iX1, while models like the Citroën e-C3 are close behind.

 China remains the dominant electric car market

Internationally, China remains the dominant market: BEV sales there increased by 42% to 3.7 million vehicles in the first half of 2025, accounting for 30% of the global market. In the US, growth was more moderate at 7.3% (592,315 units), with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y leading growth.

Manufacturers facing a decision

PwC expert Felix Kuhnert warns of strategic uncertainties for European manufacturers. The industry must decide whether to fully embrace electromobility or continue to invest in combustion engines. Furthermore, he says, dependence on Asian supply chains remains a risk to domestic value creation in Europe.