Turkey electric car sales have risen sharply over the past two years, bringing the country level with the European Union in electric vehicle adoption and positioning it as one of Europe’s most significant EV growth markets.
New registration data shows battery electric vehicles accounted for 16.7% of new car sales in Turkey in 2025, narrowly trailing the EU average of 17.4%.
The figure marks a dramatic shift for a country where electric cars were once a novelty, placing Turkey fourth in Europe by total EV sales behind Germany, the UK and France.
The pace of growth reflects a broader global trend in which emerging markets are embracing electric vehicles far faster than previously expected, often driven more by economics than environmental concerns.
In 2016, just 44 battery electric vehicles were sold in Turkey, according to official records. By 2023, EVs had become increasingly visible on Turkish roads, and by 2025 their adoption rate rivalled that of many long-established European markets.
For early adopters, the shift has been striking. Istanbul-based engineer Berke Astarcıoğlu, who bought one of Turkey’s first BMW i3 models in 2016, says electric cars are no longer seen as luxury statements. “My Tesla has become an ordinary car here,” he said, reflecting how quickly EV ownership has been normalised.
Unlike northern European countries such as Norway or the Netherlands, where environmental policy and climate targets have played a major role, analysts say Turkey’s EV boom is largely driven by financial incentives.
A disparity in Turkey’s special consumption tax has kept electric vehicles only marginally more expensive than comparable petrol cars, while lower fuel and maintenance costs have made them attractive to cost-conscious buyers.
“Practically speaking, Turkish people don’t buy electric vehicles because they are eco-friendly,” said Ufuk Alparslan, an analyst at the climate thinktank Ember.
“The motivation is purely economical.”
Turkey’s EV surge has continued even after the government raised taxes on electric vehicles in August 2025, suggesting that momentum has become self-sustaining.
However, analysts warn the tax framework remains fragile and could change quickly.
The rise in Turkey electric car sales comes as the country prepares to host the UN climate summit and as the EU faces internal pushback over its long-term plans to phase out combustion engines.
While the EU has watered down its proposed 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, Turkey has no formal electric vehicle strategy, relying instead on market forces and selective industrial support.
A key factor has been the emergence of domestic manufacturer Togg, which overtook Tesla in 2024 to become Turkey’s leading EV brand. Supported by tax advantages and zero-interest loans from state-owned banks, Togg has helped accelerate adoption by offering vehicles tailored to local price expectations.
Togg’s chair, Fuat Tosyalı, announced plans to increase production from 40,000 vehicles in 2025 to 60,000 in 2026, signalling confidence in continued demand. Industry figures say the company has helped make electric vehicles feel accessible rather than aspirational.
Foreign manufacturers have also adapted to Turkey’s tax system, with companies such as Tesla reducing motor power in certain models to qualify for favourable tax brackets. China’s BYD is seeking a larger foothold in the market and has announced plans to build a $1bn factory in Turkey.
Beyond consumer trends, analysts see strategic implications. Turkey imports almost all of its oil, and road transport remains a major source of energy demand.
A report by the thinktank InstitutDE suggests that widespread electrification of Turkey’s car fleet could reduce exposure to oil price volatility and geopolitical shocks, even as total vehicle numbers are expected to rise sharply by 2053.
However, experts caution that recent growth does not guarantee a permanent transition. The overall tax burden on electric vehicles remains high, reaching up to 86% in some brackets, and inflation or currency shifts could quickly undermine affordability.
“It’s not the result of a strategic decision,” said economist Baki Kaya, a co-author of the InstitutDE report. “And I’m personally not that optimistic it will continue without policy reform.”
Despite these risks, analysts argue Turkey electric car sales demonstrate how quickly markets can shift when cost structures align with consumer incentives.
Ember’s analysis suggests that maintaining favourable tax policies and expanding renewable energy could significantly reduce Turkey’s energy import bill while accelerating the transition to cleaner transport.
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“Electric cars have started to become widespread in Turkey,” Alparslan said, “but there is still a large, untapped potential. Policies that keep EVs affordable could accelerate this momentum.”
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