Despite an overall decline in new car registrations in Italy at the start of 2025, electric vehicles (EVs) bucked the trend with a triple-digit sales increase in January. Industry observers point to improving model availability—particularly in more affordable segments—as a key driver for this early-year rebound.
Electric Registrations Leap by 132%
In January 2025, fully electric vehicles (BEVs) surged to 6,721 units, up 132.2% compared with the same month last year (2,894). As a result, the EV market share rose to 5.0%, more than double the 2.0% figure of January 2024. Italy’s total BEV fleet now stands at 282,902 vehicles in circulation.
“The big jump in EVs partly reflects a weak baseline from January 2024,” explains Motus-E President Fabio Pressi, “but it also signals a genuine market shift. We’re seeing more compact and entry-level electric models—crucial for Italian buyers—now available. This broader lineup makes EV ownership viable for a growing number of families.”
Overall Car Market Down Nearly 6%
While EVs soared, the broader Italian passenger car market—across all fuel types—fell by 5.9% year-on-year in January. Total registrations dipped from 142,501 to 134,109 vehicles. Observers also noted a drop of 17.7% in commercial vehicle sales (categories N1 and N2), where battery electric variants achieved a modest 2.8% share.
Spotlight on New Affordable Models
Electric city cars and subcompact crossovers (e.g., new Dacia Spring, Citroën C3 EV) appear prominently in the top sellers’ list. This shift underscores the pivotal role that cost-friendly EVs play in boosting sales.
- Top 5 Electric Models (January 2025):
- Dacia Spring – 961 units
- Citroën C3 Electric – 418 units
- Tesla Model Y – 265 units
- Jeep Avenger – 245 units
- Fiat 500e – 230 units
These five models alone account for over 20% of Italy’s BEV sales in January, indicating a robust appetite for either budget-friendly small cars or well-known brand crossovers.
Key Takeaways
- EV Surge: Italian BEVs jumped +132% YoY in January, hitting a 5.0% monthly share.
- Overall Market Down: January passenger car registrations sank -5.9%, to 134,109 units.
- Entry-Level Appeal: Sales data show cheaper, smaller EVs are fueling the electric rebound.
- EU Pressure: Italy still trails Europe’s leading EV markets, but January’s growth offers a positive signal for 2025.
The sector’s next milestones may well hinge on stabilizing consumer incentives, clarifying EV tax structures, and further expanding charging infrastructure—especially if Italy wants to accelerate beyond a brief January burst and maintain a robust electric momentum throughout 2025.
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Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.
