Imports of new electric cars to Ukraine have increased 2.5 times since 2024

Imports of new electric cars to Ukraine have increased 2.5 times since 2024 shutterstock

Maria Semenova

Experts attribute this to the approaching date for the return of mandatory VAT payments during customs clearance

In November, approximately 13,500 electric cars were registered in Ukraine. Compared to November last year, the market showed steady and rapid growth of 146%. While domestic resales are declining slightly, new electric cars from abroad are showing the greatest growth.

This was reported by the Automotive Market Research Institute.

Market segments in dynamics

Analysts described how the share of electric cars has changed in monthly and annual dynamics:

  • Import of used electric vehicles in November was 56.1% (7,569 units). This group of vehicles consistently forms the foundation of Ukraine’s electric car market. Compared to the previous month, the number of cars in this segment fell slightly – by 4.6%, but this figure is 170.4% higher than the level of last year.
  • Import of new electric vehicles accounted for 23.4% (3,154 units). Researchers especially highlight this figure – for the first time, the share of new electric cars exceeded that of domestic sales and overall surpassed the 3,000 unit mark. This is 28.9% more than in October 2025 and a record 252% more than in November 2024.
  • Resale of used vehicles on the domestic market – 20.5% (2,776 units). This segment showed the lowest monthly decline (-19.3%) and the smallest annual growth (+50.6%).
eauto.org.ua

Source: Institute for Automotive Market Research

VAT refunds as a market driver

Experts explain the shift in buyer interest toward imported cars—both new and used—by the approaching date for VAT refunds on customs clearance. Therefore, buyers who have the intention and opportunity are trying to import electric cars from abroad in time.

The unwillingness to buy cars with "experience" of driving on Ukrainian roads remains an unchanging factor. However, sales of used cars on the domestic market have still grown in annual terms. But researchers at the Institute explain this by a general increase in interest in electric cars.

The Institute calls the growth in the share of new electric cars a phenomenon, as this segment has typically declined due to the low purchasing power of Ukrainians.

“Demand is mainly met by independent multibrand dealers who, judging by the trends, strive to transition to official representation formats for various brands – often Chinese ones. However, it is important to consider a new factor: the Chinese government is introducing a ban on the export of certain models. Therefore, next year, sales statistics for new electric vehicles may change – both because of VAT and these restrictions,” said automotive market expert Ostap Novytskyi.

General market overview

According to the latest data, Ukraine's electric vehicle fleet consists of 214,700 units. This number does not include industrial electric vehicles, rail vehicles, trolleybuses, and motorcycles. Almost 98% of all electric vehicles are passenger cars (210,300 units). There are also 4,400 electric trucks and 9 electric buses.

The leaders among electric cars on Ukrainian roads are Tesla (20.2%), Nissan (17.4%), and Volkswagen (12.2%).

Electric cars remain the "youngest" transport segment in Ukraine, with an average age of 5.6 years.

ЕcoPolitic previously reported which electric vehicles are considered the best by experts from the Autocar portal.

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