Last year was a period of unprecedented growth for the Ukrainian used electric vehicle market. In total , 84,364 battery-powered passenger cars arrived in the country and underwent initial registration in 2025, which is 104.7% more than in 2024.
However, the real culmination came in December. The expectation of a VAT refund on the import of electric cars provoked a surge in demand: in the last month of the year , 25,037 units were imported. This is 230.3% more than in November, and compared to December of the previous year, volumes increased by an incredible 687.3%. The market actually tried to “jump in the last door”, buying up everything available on foreign platforms in order to catch up with the change in tax legislation.
- Check the history of a car by VIN code before buying using the CEBIA service!
Top 10 Brands: The Tesla Era and Korean Expansion
There is a clear hierarchy in the brand rankings. Tesla remains the undisputed leader. The American brand has become synonymous with a modern electric car for Ukrainians, and its gap from competitors only emphasizes the high liquidity and popularity of the brand. Nissan confidently holds the second place, whose position is still strong thanks to the huge fleet of affordable cars.
It is interesting to note the strengthening of the positions of the Korean brands KIA and Hyundai, which practically go hand in hand. They are chosen for their understandable service and successful crossovers. The German group is followed by Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. If the “peopleʼs brand” VW is gaining popularity, then the premium three shows that Ukrainians are increasingly ready to choose a used electric car instead of a traditional premium with an internal combustion engine. Also in the top ten are Renault, with compact city cars, and Chevrolet, which offers practical solutions from the American market.
Top 10 models: Crossovers dictate fashion
The model ranking is headed by the "stars" of American auctions — Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3. These two models have actually formed the main flow of imports in the premium and mid-range segments. The third place is consistently occupied by the pioneer of electric mobility — Nissan Leaf, which remains the main entrance ticket to the world of electromobility.
Among other favorites, Ukrainians prefer practical crossovers, such as the KIA Niro and Hyundai Kona. Compact Europeans, such as the Renault ZOE and the electric version of the Volkswagen Golf, are also popular. Lovers of greater comfort and status secured high places for the Tesla Model S and Audi e-tron, and the popular "American" Chevrolet Bolt EV rounds out the top ten.
Expert opinion
Stanislav Buchatsky, Institute for Car Market Research, comments:
"We witnessed a historical maximum, which was created mainly by external factors, namely the expectation of tax changes. December 2025 became a point of extreme growth, when the market absorbed in one month the volume that previously took half a year. We are unlikely to see similar import volumes in the near future. The market is now oversaturated, and the new conditions for VAT clearance will force buyers and dealers to reconsider their strategy. 2026 will be a period of stabilization, when the emphasis will shift from quantity to quality and servicing the huge fleet that we managed to form over the past year."
- Subscribe to the Telegram channel of the Auto Market Research Institute to receive information first, without advertising and spam.
