Best-selling electric car manufacturers in Europe: Who's leading the EV revolution?

The brands leading Europe's electric revolution – and the ones that might surprise you

Electric driving has well and truly hit its stride across Europe.

With nearly three million electric vehicles registered in 2024 alone – a figure that would have seemed like fantasy just a decade ago – we're witnessing the automotive industry's biggest shift since the invention of the combustion engine.

Really, this is what the people who witnessed the invention of the wheel in the first place must have felt like.

Total awe at what humankind can achieve, given half a chance.

Whether you're after a luxury electric saloon or need a nippy electric supermini for the daily commute, there's an EV to suit every budget and lifestyle. And with electric car lease deals becoming more competitive by the month, going electric has never been more accessible.

The European electric car market registered 2.96 million EVs in 2024, with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) dominating the landscape, coming in at 67.6% of all plug-in car registrations.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) captured the remaining 32.3%, a slight dip from 2023's 32.9%.

But which manufacturers are crushing the European electric car game?

Using data from EV Volumes, we've broken down the top 10 brands that dominated Europe's electric roads in 2024.

Tesla

328,036 registrations – down 10.4% from 2023

The American electric pioneer has held the European crown for three consecutive years, but 2024 wasn't quite the victory lap they might have hoped for.

Despite the decline, Tesla still commanded the market with over 328,000 registrations. Not bad for a company that was once dismissed as a pipe dream by traditional automakers.

The Tesla Model 3 continues to be a favourite among European drivers, offering that perfect blend of performance, range and cutting-edge tech. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y has become the go-to choice for families wanting to go electric without compromising on space.

Sure, the numbers might have dipped slightly, but Tesla's charging infrastructure and software updates keep drivers coming back for more.

BMW

292,407 registrations – up 10.7% from 2023

The Bavarian giant secured second place for the second year running, but this time with serious momentum behind them.

BMW added an impressive 28,157 additional registrations compared to 2023, proving that their electrification strategy is well and truly paying off.

From the practical BMW iX1 to the luxurious BMW i7, BMW's electric lineup offers something for everyone. And the beautiful BMW i4 continues to be a standout performer, combining the driving dynamics BMW is famous for with zero-emission motoring.

And with MINI being owned by the BMW Group, the MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman prove that going electric doesn't mean sacrificing personality.

Mercedes-Benz

258,677 registrations – up 10% from 2023

The three-pointed star climbed from fourth to third place in 2024, adding 23,515 registrations to their European tally.

Mercedes-Benz has been making serious waves with their EQS flagship electric model, and the more accessible EQA and EQB models. Their approach to electric luxury has clearly resonated with European buyers who want their EVs to feel as premium as the traditional Mercedes models.

The brand's commitment to electrification shows no signs of slowing down.

Mercedes-Benz has both its 'Electric First' and 'Ambition 2039' strategies in place, with the target of electrifying all their models and becoming carbon neutral in the next decade.

Volvo

239,255 registrations – up 42% from 2023

Now here's the surprise of 2024.

Volvo absolutely smashed it out of the park in 2024, jumping from sixth place to fourth with the biggest percentage growth in the top 10.

The Swedish manufacturer added a whopping 70,745 additional registrations, which represents an incredible 42% growth from 2023 – leaving its rivals scratching their heads.

The compact Volvo EX30 proved to be a masterstroke, offering premium Scandinavian design in a compact, affordable package. Meanwhile, the Volvo XC60 led the PHEV market, showing that Volvo's approach to electrification isn't just about full EVs.

Safety-conscious families across Europe clearly can't get enough of Volvo's electric offerings.

And – we'll be honest – we count ourselves in that.

Volkswagen

229,836 registrations – down 6.7% from 2023

The German giant slipped from third to fifth place, experiencing a 6.7% decline in registrations.

It's been a challenging year for Volkswagen in the electric space, despite having one of the most comprehensive electric lineups on the market.

The VW ID.3, ID.4 and ID.Buzz are all solid offerings, but increased competition appears to have eaten into their market share.

The launch of the Volkswagen ID.7, with its Touring and saloon variants, shows that Volkswagen isn't giving up without a fight. And the future is bright for the manufacturer, with models like the VW ID.2 in the pipeline.

Audi

172,665 registrations – down 0.8% from 2023

The four rings dropped one position from 2023, though the decline was marginal.

Audi's Q4 E-Tron continues to perform well, offering that perfect blend of premium appeal and practical electric motoring.

And the brand's commitment to electrification remains strong, with plans to start phasing out combustion engines in the next decade or so.

Kia

118,264 registrations – down 13% from 2023

The South Korean brand maintained its seventh-place position, but saw registrations drop by 17,720 units.

Despite the decline, Kia's electric offerings remain popular, with the Kia EV6 continuing to turn heads with its striking design and impressive performance.

Peugeot

115,771 registrations – down 10.9% from 2023

Peugeot held onto eighth place, but saw registrations fall by 14,174 units compared to 2023.

The French manufacturer's competitive electric lineup, including excellent options like the Peugeot E-208, E-3008 and E-5008, continue to offer style and practicality at affordable prices.

SKODA

101,629 registrations – up 4.1% from 2023

The Czech brand was one of the success stories of 2024, climbing two places and increasing registrations by 4.1%.

The SKODA Enyaq EV was the driving force behind this growth, proving that practical, well-priced electric SUVs have serious appeal across Europe.

Hyundai

94,258 registrations – down 14.6% from 2023

Hyundai rounded out the top 10 with the same ranking as 2023, but registrations fell by 16,053 units.

Despite the decline, models like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 continue to showcase what the South Korean brand can achieve in the electric space.

What this means for your next electric lease

The European EV market is clearly maturing, with established premium brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz making serious inroads into Tesla's dominance.

Meanwhile, brands like Volvo are proving that smart positioning, and appealing products can lead to explosive growth.

For lease customers, this competition is brilliant news. More choice, better deals and increasingly sophisticated electric vehicles across all price points.

Whether you're drawn to Tesla's tech-forward approach, BMW's driving dynamics, Volvo's safety-first philosophy, or you're interested in trying out some of the newer players in the EV world, there's never been a better time to go electric.