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Electromobility Q1 2025: E-Commercial Vehicles Ready for Takeoff?

Electric vans and trucks are on the rise in Q1 2025 – despite a drop in overall vehicle registrations. Discover key e-mobility trends shaping Switzerland and Europe’s EV market.

The first quarter of 2025 brought significant changes to the automotive market. Electric vehicles (EVs) – particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – are currently the highlights amidst a general decline in new registrations. Nevertheless, BEVs were able to gain further market share – especially in the commercial sector such as vans and trucks, highlighting the growing interest in emission-free mobility.

The market is changing – we are in the midst of it!

Fewer overall new registrations

Compared to the first quarter of 2024, the Swiss vehicle market recorded a significant decline:

  • 🚗 Passenger cars: -8.7%
  • 🚚 Vans: -14%
  • 🚛 Trucks: -16%.

What could be causing this decline? Primarily economic challenges, such as ongoing inflation and supply chain issues. This affects both private and fleet sales figures.

BEV Vans & Trucks on the Rise – Market Shares Increase

Despite only a slight increase in BEV passenger car registrations (+2%), clear growth impulses are evident in the commercial vehicle segment.

  • 🚗 BEV Passenger Cars: 10,732 registrations (vs. 10,522 in Q1 2024), market share 20.4% (↑ from 18.2%)
  • 🚚 BEV Vans: 690 registrations (↑ 40%), market share 10.3%
  • 🚛 BEV Trucks: 167 registrations (↑ 58%), market share 17.2%

The market for electric commercial vehicles is just beginning – but the momentum is there. Particularly in areas like logistics and "urban delivery", e.g., parcel delivery, increasing electrification is evident due to advantages such as lower emissions and operating costs. This development not only indicates a decline in demand for combustion engines but also shows: there is already genuine market interest in fully electric vehicles.

According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the fleet of commercial vehicles in 2019 functionally consisted of: Vans 386,669, Trucks + Semi-trailers: 54,126. From a homologation perspective: N1 vehicles (drivable with a category B license, mainly vans): 387,990, N2+N3 vehicles (category C license or higher): 52,805.

News: Technology and Manufacturers in Competition

Ultra-fast Charging Possible with BYD

The Chinese manufacturer BYD presented a real breakthrough in EV charging at the end of the quarter:
• 470 km range in just 5 minutes
• Powered by a “Super e-Platform” with 1,000 kW and 1,000 A
• 4,000 high-performance charging stations planned across China

This charging performance is based on new on-board electronics. The competitive Chinese EV market drives technological development. For now, the technology is exclusively available in China – but it is only a matter of time before European standards adapt accordingly. Above all, the expectations of e-drivers are rising. It remains exciting!

Tesla Losing Market Share in Switzerland

While Tesla remains the leader in the Swiss EV market, its lead is shrinking:
• Registrations Q1 2025: approx. 1,240
• The biggest competitor, Audi, is in 2nd place - with only 200 fewer new registrations
• Tesla's market share has fallen from 19.4% at the end of 2024 to 11.5%
This indicates a growing interest in alternative premium EV brands. In the future, competition could become even more intense.

Conclusion

  • The overall market declined in Q1 2025, but BEV registrations increased in absolute numbers.
  • BEV vans and trucks have really accelerated – or rather, electrified. A sign of increasing electrification.
  • Tesla's dominance in the Swiss EV market is decreasing – other premium providers are catching up.
  • Chinese brands like BYD are setting new technological standards – especially in ultra-fast charging.

In summary, the Swiss EV market in Q1 2025 shows: Less hype, more infrastructure, more technology, and real choices for consumers.

 

Electromobility in Europe: Highlights Q1 2025

Continuing Growth: Electromobility in Europe

The trend observed in Switzerland reflects strong development at the European level. In the first quarter of 2025, 620,045 plug-in vehicles (xEVs) were registered in the EU – an increase of more than 15% compared to the 538,177 units in the same period of the previous year. The largest share of this was accounted for by purely battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with 412,997 registrations, almost 80,000 more than the previous year. Their market share rose from 12% to 15.2% – a clear sign of their growing importance in the mobility transition.

Different Dynamics, but a Common Direction

National markets are developing at different speeds – but the direction is clear. Germany, long hesitant, recorded a strong upswing with +39% in EV registrations. The United Kingdom is also continuing its positive trend: +42% for BEVs compared to the previous year. France is the exception and falls below the EU average with a 22% market share.

💡 Leading markets in Europe:

• Norway (95%)
• Denmark (68%)
• Sweden (55%)
• Netherlands (53%)

Italy (9.1%) and Spain (14.3%) are still below average but show clear signs of an upswing. Despite different starting points, the message is clear: Europe is going electric.

Stay tuned – the next update follows in Q2!

07.05.2025

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