Turkey’s EV sales surge to 190,000 units, lifting the country to the fourth‑largest electric vehicle market in Europe by 2025. Read the full analysis today.
Surging Sales Propel Turkey Into Europe’s Top‑Four EV Spots
According to UK‑based energy analyst Ember, Turkey will register approximately 190,000 battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in 2025. That volume translates into a 17% share of all new passenger‑car sales – exactly matching the European Union average and securing Turkey the fourth‑largest electric‑vehicle market in Europe.
Year‑on‑Year Growth Highlights
Turkey’s EV share leapt from about 10% in 2024 (roughly 104,000 units) to 17% in 2025. The surge reflects an 80% increase compared with the previous year, catapulting the country from ninth place in 2023 ahead of established EV‑friendly markets such as Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. Only Germany, the United Kingdom and France remain ahead.
Key Drivers Behind the Acceleration
- New Model Launches: Domestic brand Togg entered the market with several fully electric models, expanding consumer choice.
- Tax Strategy Adjustments: Automakers tweaked pricing and product strategies to fit Turkey’s evolving vehicle‑tax framework.
- Consumer Shift: Growing environmental awareness and higher fuel prices are nudging buyers toward electric alternatives.
Decline of Fossil‑Fuel Vehicles
While electric sales surged, traditional gasoline and diesel registrations fell sharply. New‑car gasoline sales peaked at 635,000 units in 2023 before dropping to 520,000 in 2025. Diesel registrations declined from 154,000 to 95,000 units in the same period.
Policy Landscape and Tax Challenges
Despite the progress, EVs still represent only about 2% of the total vehicle fleet in Turkey, and the tax burden remains high. The most favorable tax brackets can still result in a total tax rate of roughly 50% (including VAT). Vehicles placed in higher‑tax brackets may face rates up to 86%.
Additional hurdles include:
- Higher tariffs on cars imported from nations without a free‑trade agreement, such as China.
- Currency fluctuations that push more models into the higher‑tax bands.
Renewable Energy Ambitions Support EV Growth
Turkey is not building new fossil‑fuel power plants; all new electricity capacity added in 2025 originates from renewable sources. The government targets a three‑fold increase in wind and solar generation – aiming for roughly 40 GW by 2035 – to meet rising electricity demand with clean, domestic power.
Outlook
Ember stresses that the electrification of transport is essential for Turkey’s broader renewable‑energy transition. While policy and tax reforms are still needed to make EVs more affordable, the market’s rapid climb suggests a decisive shift toward cleaner mobility in the near future.