EVs just beat gas and diesel in Europe, leaving the US as the biggest holdout

Electric vehicles just passed an important threshold. In Europe, they are no longer the alternative, but rather a better-selling option than gas and diesel.

That shift is sharpening another question for American drivers and automakers about why the U.S. is still lagging while other regions move more quickly toward electrification.

Here’s what to know

In a TikTok post, creator molesrcool (@molesrcool) argued that “the era of electric cars is officially here.” 

To back up that argument, the creator cited an important milestone in a major market.

“In Europe, electric cars just outsold diesel and gasoline cars for the first time ever,” molesrcool declared, before adding that hybrids are the only vehicle type still selling in higher numbers there, calling that “just another form of electrification.”

The video also cited growth outside the biggest EV markets. It said EV sales in regions beyond China, Europe, and North America are up almost 100%, and added that Australia’s lowest-priced car is now an electric BYD model costing just under $20,000.

By contrast, the creator presented the United States as the main place where the transition is falling behind.

“The one big sticking point for the push towards electrification is here in the United States. These last few years have been a brutal step backwards for this country,” molesrcool said, using that point to argue that U.S. automakers have moved too slowly even as gas prices remain painful for drivers.

The creator also cited the scale of the global market, saying about 63,000 EVs are sold each day worldwide and presenting that as evidence that gasoline-only vehicles are steadily losing ground.

More background

The gap shows up in price and convenience. If lower-cost EVs are reaching buyers in some countries while U.S. shoppers still associate electric vehicles with premium models and oversized trucks, adoption is likely to feel slower here, even if interest continues to grow.

Commenters zeroed in on exactly that frustration. 

“I wish we had better charging infrastructure here in America outside of Tesla,” one wrote.

Another commenter took on the affordability issue: “The US did electric wrong. I don’t want a 100k Hummer EV or Lightning. I want a 25k econobox that I don’t have to put gas in.”

What’s being done?

Even so, the post argued that the U.S. market is still shifting. It said Toyota has added two EVs and has a third on the way, while putting more emphasis on hybrids in high-profile models. It also described Kia and Hyundai as gaining market share by “aggressively pursuing EVs and hybrids.”

Newer entrants were part of that argument too. The post said Rivian has launched a lower-cost model and plans cheaper vehicles beyond it, while Slate is aiming for 75,000 annual sales with its upcoming truck.

It also emphasized how quickly the underlying technology is advancing, saying battery makers worldwide are pushing for more range and solid-state designs while noting that “China already has five minute flash charging and battery swapping.”

One commenter predicted a U.S. shift could happen sooner rather than later.

“We’ll get dragged kicking and screaming into the future eventually, it just probably won’t be until 2029,” they predicted.

Where can I learn more?

Here is a closer look at how fast the EV shift is moving and evolving to meet customers’ wants.

• Across Europe, June EV demand surged even as China and North America slowed.

• Norway became the world’s most EV-friendly market by making electric driving ordinary.

• Globally, EVs now account for a quarter of new-car sales as Norway and China pull ahead.

• European automakers are shrinking their EVs to counter SUV bloat and cheaper Chinese rivals.

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