European auto market: July +5.9%, Italy’s EV still behind
The European auto market returned to growth in July 2025, posting 1,085,356 registrations (+5.9% vs. July 2024). Over the first seven months of the year, results remain almost flat at 7.9 million units compared to 2024. However, volumes are still far below pre-Covid levels: –18.4% for July and –19% cumulatively.
EV market Italy: the weakest among top EU markets
Among the five major European markets, Italy continues to rank last in EV adoption. In July, rechargeable vehicles (ECV) accounted for 12.3%, split between 4.9% BEVs and 7.4% PHEVs. The gap with other countries is significant:
- Germany: 28.7% (BEV 18.4%, PHEV 10.3%)
- UK: 33.8% (BEV 21.3%, PHEV 12.5%)
- France: 24.0% (BEV 16.8%, PHEV 7.2%)
- Spain: 21.3% (BEV 8.8%, PHEV 12.5%)
Across Europe, ECVs reached 27.5% market share in July (BEV 17.2%, PHEV 10.3%). Italy’s BEV share is 3.8 times lower than the rest of Europe, widening the gap from last year.
Structural challenges: incentives and infrastructure
According to UNRAE, Italy’s EV market is frozen by delays in government incentives and insufficient charging infrastructure. As of June 2025, Italy ranked 16th in Europe with just 13.2 charging points per 100 km of road, compared to a continental average of 19.5.
Andrea Cardinali, UNRAE’s Director General, stressed the urgency of:
- Making EV incentives immediately operational, without excessive restrictions.
- Revising company car taxation to support decarbonization (higher VAT deductibility, reduced amortization times).
- Lowering charging costs, currently higher in Italy than in most EU countries.
A critical moment for Italy’s EV market
While Europe accelerates toward electrification, Italy risks losing competitiveness in both EV adoption and the supply chain. With BEVs nearly four times less popular than in other EU countries, bridging the gap requires swift action on incentives, charging networks, and fiscal policy to align Italy with European climate and industry goals. Without decisive measures, Italy could face long-term setbacks in industrial competitiveness, missed environmental targets, and a diminished role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility across the continent.
See also “Mercato auto Europa: Italia in ritardo sulla mobilità elettrica“
