In 2025, the electric mobility landscape in Europe has undergone a radical transformation. After years of American dominance, the European auto industry seems to have regained its momentum, and Volkswagen has achieved a historic performance, becoming the new market leader.
The year 2025 will go down in history as the moment when Volkswagen Group overtook Tesla in the race for electric supremacy on the continent. According to market data, Volkswagen delivered 274,417 units, marking a spectacular 56% increase over the previous year. In contrast, Tesla felt huge pressure, with its sales falling by about 27% to 238,765 units.
This shift is not accidental. The Germans' strategy of launching an offensive on several fronts has paid off: while Tesla relies mainly on two models (Model Y and Model 3), Volkswagen has managed to place 5 models in the European Top 10. Although the Tesla Model Y remains, individually, the best-selling electric car (over 151,000 units), the collective strength of the ID range (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7) and the success of derivative models such as the Skoda Elroq (2nd place in Europe) have tipped the balance in favor of the VW Group.
Furthermore, Volkswagen has also consolidated its leading position in the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) market, where it recorded a 205% growth, demonstrating that it dominates the technological transition in all its forms.
While Europe "vibrates" under the Volkswagen assault, the Romanian market has gone through a challenging 2025. Registrations of 100% electric cars have recorded a decrease of approximately 9% compared to 2024, mainly caused by uncertainties regarding the Rabla Plus program and the reduction of subsidies.
Ranking of the best-selling electric cars in Romania (2025):
Dacia Spring: Remains the undisputed leader of the local market (1,596 units in 2025), although it registered a decrease of over 50% compared to last year. The 2025 facelift variant helped maintain interest thanks to its modernized design.
Hyundai Kona Electric: A pleasant surprise, climbing to second place with 618 units, thanks to its reliability and price-to-range ratio.
Tesla Model 3: Closes the podium with 604 units, maintaining its attractiveness in the affordable premium segment.
Skoda Enyaq / Volkswagen ID.4: These models dominate the electric family SUV segment.
Prices and Subsidies 2025
In 2025, the psychological threshold for an affordable electric car in Romania was around 25,000 euros (without subsidy). The Rabla Plus 2025 program offered eco-tickets worth around 25,500 lei (approx. 5,100 euros) for electric cars, plus scrappage premiums that could bring the total aid to around 35,500 lei.
| Model | List Price (estimated) | Price via Rabla Plus 2025* |
| Dacia Spring (facelift) | ~€16,900 | ~€11,800 |
| BYD Dolphin | ~€19,400 | ~€14,300 |
| Citroën e-C3 | ~€23,300 | ~€18,200 |
| Tesla Model 3 | ~€41,990 | ~€36,900 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | ~€42,400 | ~€37,300 |
The year 2025 marked the maturation of the European market. If Tesla was the pioneer who paved the way, Volkswagen is the giant that learned how to scale success. In Romania, although enthusiasm was tempered by the decrease in subsidies, the competition between new affordable models (like the Citroën e-C3 or the new BYD models) promises to make 2026 a year of comeback for green mobility.