Solar, EV Sales Hit Record Highs in 2025, European Commission Report Shows

European energy markets saw a record-breaking solar expansion and a surge in electric vehicle sales in 2025, even as electricity and gas consumption saw a slight weather-driven rebound following the ongoing energy crisis, according to a European Commission report released on Monday. Solar generation surged 18% to a 275 terawatt-hours, including 56 gigawatts of new installations. Total renewable capacity additions neared 70 GW, which included a 13 GW increase in wind capacity and a 4% rise in offshore wind generation, the report noted. Parallel to this clean grid expansion, the automotive sector saw a record 31% year-on-year increase in EV sales, with 2.89 million new units sold. By the final quarter, EVs secured a 22% market share, the report added. Meanwhile, utility markets continued a gradual, uneven recovery from the ongoing energy crisis. The European Power Benchmark averaged 85 euros/MWh, climbing 9% from the previous year but remaining 14% lower than earlier crisis peaks, as per the report. Price disparities across Member States remained stark, ranging from a low of 41 euros/MWh in Finland to 116 euros/MWh in Italy. Driven by colder winter.