For October 2025, the Western European PV market grew for a fourth consecutive month. Sales were up 4.5% YoY, with a total of circa 960k units. YTD sales are up over 1% compared to the same period in 2024, at 9.8 mn units.  

A modest lift in consumer confidence, accelerating electrification across the region and newly introduced incentives are collectively supporting the upturn. We now expect 2025 to marginally outperform 2024, with results just edging past last year’s level.

Across the five largest Western European markets, Spain was the strongest performer while Germany continued its solid growth. France showed gains, largely due to a weak September 2024 comparison. Finally, sales in the UK and Italy were flat YoY. Italy’s decline stemmed from an ineffective incentive rollout that is expected to be resolved next month.

The UK PV market remained broadly flat as registrations totalled 145k units (up 0.5% YoY) in October 2025. The monthly selling rate rose over 18% to 2.12 million units/year. The PV market is expected to exceed 2 million units for the first time since 2019. Although the new Electric Car Grant (ECG) is boosting BEV sales, changes to the Employee Car Ownership schemes, the threat of adjusting the Motability scheme, and potential income tax rises, could all weigh on the market in 2026. France’s PV market rose for a third month, with sales at 140k units (+3% YoY). The selling rate slipped 4% to 1.63m units/year though, with the YoY gain partly reflecting a weak October 2024 base. The enhanced “Coup de Pouce” incentive, an extra €1,000 for BEVs assembled in Europe with a European battery, should help support sales into year‑end.

The Spanish PV market grew for a 14th consecutive month in October. Sales totalled 97k units as registrations were up 16%, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth over 15%. The monthly selling rate fell 7% to 1.21 million units/year but remained strong. Sales were robust in October largely because BEV registrations performed well, boosting overall demand and pushing volumes above pre‑pandemic levels for the second consecutive month. German PV registrations rose nearly 8% YoY in October to 250k units, with the selling rate up over 5% to 2.91m units/year. BEV sales jumped 48% YoY. New 2026 incentives, including €3bn reallocated to support low‑ and middle‑income buyers of zero‑emission cars, are expected to boost demand without widening the federal deficit. Italian PV registrations were broadly flat in October, down 0.6% YoY to 126k units; the selling rate slipped 2% to 1.51m units/year. The weakness reflects confusion around the MASE incentive booking platform, its late launch (22 Oct), temporary suspension and intermittent reopening disrupted dealer activity and suppressed EV demand, materially reducing October registrations.

This article was first published on GlobalData’s dedicated research platform, the Automotive Intelligence Center.