Last year 2024 ended with another increase in sales of electric cars in Ukraine, the first months of 2025 also show considerable popularity of electric cars among buyers. But what are these electric cars? What are their features? How much do they cost? And what trends-forecasts for 2025 are already emerging? I suggest you consider the TOP-5 most popular electric cars more closely.
1st place – Volkswagen ID.4
According to the results of 2024, the most popular electric car in Ukraine was the Volkswagen ID.4, which sold more than 1.6 thousand copies. However, there were hardly many “Europeans” among them; instead, the lion's share of Volkswagen ID.4 sales falls on the Chinese versions of this electric car.
Moreover, there are two of them, namely – Volkswagen ID.4 Crozz (visually and in the cabin as similar as possible to the European one) and Volkswagen ID.4 X (different in headlights, front bumper, lights, etc.). These nuances distinguish Volkswagen ID.4 electric cars depending on the manufacturer: FAW or SAIC .
In addition, the Chinese versions of the electric car differ in a slightly larger battery with a capacity of about 85 kWh and other charging ports. But otherwise, everything is very similar to the European version of the electric car: a crossover 4.58 meters long, rear or all-wheel drive, a fairly spacious interior, good suspension comfort. Today, Volkswagen ID.4 electric cars in Chinese versions cost us about $30-33 thousand, depending on the type of drive and configuration.
2nd place – Honda M-NV
The second place was taken by the Honda M - NV electric car with sales of almost 1.3 thousand units. In general, to be as precise as possible, the Honda M - NV electric car can be found with slightly different names and designations and under different brands - again, depending on the Chinese manufacturer: Dongfeng or GAC . However, in Ukraine the name Honda M - NV has already taken root historically; after all, this electric car really resembles a compact 4.3-meter Honda crossover - we are talking about the Honda HR - V of the last generation.
The Honda M - NV electric car can offer only one electric motor and only front-wheel drive. It is worth noting that at the beginning of its career there were versions with two batteries; but now our local Ukrainian car dealerships are selling a version with a larger battery - with a capacity of 61.3-58.7 kWh (nominal/real capacity). The cost of the Honda M - NV electric car in Ukraine today is about $20-20.5 thousand, which allows it to maintain a certain popularity; although the successor in the form of the Honda e: NS 1 is already gaining momentum.
3rd place – BYD Song Plus
The BYD Song Plus electric car also surpassed the landmark of “over 1,000 units sold.” As in previous cases, this is a crossover; however, it is quite large – the length of the BYD Song Plus is almost 4.8 meters.
The model has been produced since 2020, and was updated in 2023. In general, the BYD Song Plus line includes electric cars with various batteries and electric motors, as well as the BYD Song Plus DM - i hybrid with a design scheme where most of the time the movement is due to the electric motor, and the gasoline engine acts only to drive the generator and is only occasionally connected to the wheels directly. However, such hybrids are not available for sale in Ukraine (at least at the time of preparation of the material), and the electric version of the BYD Song Plus is found in only one version - with a battery with a capacity of 87 kWh and one electric motor that drives only the front wheels. The cost of such an electric car BYD Song Plus in Ukraine is currently $ 26-27 thousand.
4th place – Nissan Ariya
Again, a world-famous brand, again there is a European model of electric car; but again, sales results (almost 800 units by the end of 2024) were provided by the Chinese versions of the Nissan Ariya .
In the past, a detailed review of the Nissan Ariya has already been published, so I will only briefly recall the main points: we are talking about a 4.6-meter crossover, which is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Chinese versions of the Nissan Ariya electric car can be equipped with batteries with a capacity of 65 or 90 kWh, but most often the options with the largest battery are brought to us. The cost of the Nissan Ariya electric car in Ukraine is $ 30-36 thousand, depending on the type of drive and configuration.
5th place – ZEEKR 001
Perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, the fifth place (over 700 units sold) was taken by the ZEEKR 001: a large, almost 5-meter hatchback, under the original newly created brand, which is part of Geely. Where did the ZEEKR 001 have so many buyers, and what attracted them to it?
For example, technologies: support for 800-volt architecture, air suspension, rear or all-wheel drive with several electric motors. Perhaps large batteries: the basic versions of the ZEEKR 001 offer batteries with a capacity of 95-100 kWh, but there is also a record version with a 140 kWh battery - in this case, 1000+ km of range is promised. And perhaps the same with power: even in Ukraine, the ZEEKR 001 FR electric car with a sports package and four electric motors with a total power of 930 kW or 1265 hp has already been seen.
But all this costs a lot. The average versions of the ZEEKR 001 are currently offered in Ukraine for at least $40-45 thousand; the version with a record 140 kWh battery is estimated at $52-57 thousand; for the sports version of the ZEEKR 001 FR, they generally ask for more than $100 thousand.
Future trends
It seems that nothing threatens the strong positions of Chinese electric cars Volkswagen (and related brands). After all, almost immediately after the start of its career, the Chinese electric car Volkswagen ID.4 received support in the form of Volkswagen ID.6 - a larger crossover offering a three-row interior; it is already in great demand in Ukraine. Also, at the end of 2024, Audi Q 4 e - tron electric cars, which have a technical platform related to the Volkswagen ID.4 , began to be offered more and more often in Ukraine. Finally, a very interesting novelty is the coupe-like electric crossover Volkswagen ID.Unix. Therefore, we can expect a flow of buyers from one model to another, but the total sales of Chinese VAG electric cars by the end of 2025 will be high.
It is interesting to look at the prospects of the Honda e : NS 1, as a much more modern and advanced model - but everything will depend on the price compared to the previous model. Moreover, the market launch of the European version of the Honda e: NY 1 in Ukraine is not excluded; but it will be even more expensive. Finally, it is worth noting the large electric crossover ZEEKR 7 X, which debuted in the second half of 2024 and is already available for order in some private Ukrainian car dealerships. It looks like the ZEEKR 7 X could potentially become the bestseller of ZEEKR - accordingly, it can replace the ZEEKR 001 in this popularity rating.
And now about the general market trends, which are unlikely to change by the end of 2025. Firstly, the most popular electric cars were models and versions from the Chinese market; even if we are talking about a global model, its popularity in Ukraine is still ensured by the Chinese version. Why is that? The whole answer is in the low price. Secondly, most of these electric cars were sold not by official dealers, but through private multi-brand car dealerships and car sites.
These are the predictions that are emerging as of the beginning of 2025. At the end of the year, we will see whether they will become a reality.