Mercedes-Benz has reported a 10 percent decline in battery electric vehicle (EV) sales in the first quarter of the year, with 45,500 units delivered compared to 50,500 in the same period last year.
This drop in EV sales came amid a broader 7 percent fall in the company’s overall global deliveries of cars and vans, totaling 529,200 units in the January-March period. The decline was driven by weaker demand in key markets, particularly China and Europe, where overall sales were down 10 percent and 7 percent respectively.
Despite a modest 1 percent rise in car sales in the American market, the dip in EV numbers reflects the growing challenge automakers face in sustaining momentum in electric mobility amid shifting market conditions and consumer sentiment.
EV focus
The plug-in hybrid category remained strong, with an 8 percent increase in sales globally, largely driven by the U.S. market. While battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales were slightly below the previous year, largely due to the phase-out of the electric smart in Europe, the company is preparing for a significant ramp-up in its electric offerings. The upcoming CLA will be the first of several new all-electric models, reflecting Mercedes-Benz’s strategic push toward electrification.
In the vans division, the electric transition showed stronger progress. Mercedes-Benz Vans saw a 59 percent increase in fully electric van sales, amounting to 4,700 eVans sold in Q1. This growth raised the BEV share of van sales from 3 percent in Q1 2024 to 6 percent in Q1 2025. The full availability of electric models across the van portfolio contributed to this performance, signaling a rising acceptance of electric mobility in commercial and private use cases.
The EV segment’s performance reflects the company’s readiness to meet growing global demand for electrified mobility. Although the overall BEV numbers were tempered by specific market transitions, the increasing penetration of electric vans and plug-in hybrids, coupled with the imminent launch of new all-electric models, marks a steady evolution of Mercedes-Benz’s electric future.
Baburajan Kizhakedath