China NEV market slowdown drags global BEV growth down

GlobalData’s latest monthly report on the global electrified vehicle market shows that China’s NEV slowdown has pulled global BEV growth down to below 20%.

China’s NEV slowdown pulled global BEV growth down to sub-20% (+17%) in November from an average 30% in the prior 3 months.

Nevertheless, and despite another poor BEV result in the US, global BEV sales were a record 1.4 million units in November.

China’s passenger BEV market grew by not much more than 10% YoY in November which is considerably less than seen earlier in 2025. The price-war fuelled NEV boom was bound to moderate at some point and appears to have shifted down a gear, to a more sustainable rate of expansion. Europe continued to see steady growth with November’s result echoing the mid-30s percentage growth seen for much of 2025 and returning near-record BEV sales in the process.

Near-term policy mechanisms to support plug-in demand present a mixed picture: The US has entered a phase of much lower support for this propulsion type and that may well deteriorate further as the GHG-limiting measures from the EPA look set to be softened. Europe is seeing the re-implementation of some plug-in grants, with Germany being the most significant (from Jan 2026). Conversely, it will soften medium and long-term vehicle EU CO2 reduction plans. China’s leaders are trying to shift the NEV sector from a ‘volume at all costs’ mindset to a more sustainable model under its ‘anti-involution’ policy.

Despite some slowdown compared with mid-year, November returned a record volume and share for global BEV PV (car and SUVs – not LCVs) sales. In fact, our November figures indicate that PV BEV accounted for more than 20% of global passenger car sales for the month, with volume exceeding 1.4 million units.

PHEV growth continued to stall in November as the Chinese market for this technology has seen some easing. New technology and good deals have continued to make BEVs highly attractive while continued charging network expansion mitigates fears over charge/range anxiety.

November LV BEV sales in the US were down 36% YoY, the same as October but MoM sales were slightly up. GlobalData figures suggest that 76k LV BEVs were sold in November, a far cry from the 140k average seen in July to September ahead of the federal tax credit withdrawal.

Commenting on the downward US BEV market trend, GlobalData analyst Al Bedwell told Just Auto: “Certainly, those OEMs able to mix their propulsion portfolio away from BEVs and towards combustion-based technologies are settling into that way of thinking, expecting low growth in the plug-in sector for the foreseeable future.

“From an administration standpoint we see no wavering of the belief system that plug-ins will cost the American consumer more and are in any case unnecessary in environmental terms. Pressure to reduce the stringency of climate regulations impacting the road transport sector continues to be brought to bear on regulators creating a poor investment environment for electric vehicles.”

“China NEV market slowdown drags global BEV growth down” was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.

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