EU new car registrations rise 1.4% YTD

New car registrations across the European Union grew by 1.4% in the first ten months of 2025, marking a fourth consecutive month of expansion, according to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Despite the modest uptick, the market continues to lag well behind pre-pandemic levels.

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 16.4% of registrations year-to-date, up from 13.2% a year earlier, but ACEA cautioned that EV uptake remains below the pace required to meet Europe’s long-term transition targets. Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) retained their position as the most popular powertrain choice in the EU, capturing 34.6% of the market, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) continued to gain traction.

Electric vehicle growth led by major markets

Between January and October, 1,473,447 new BEVs were registered across the bloc. The EU’s four largest markets – Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and France – which together make up 62% of all BEV registrations, all recorded growth. Germany posted a sharp 39.4% rise, followed by Belgium (+10.6%), the Netherlands (+6.6%) and France (+5.3%).

Hybrid-electric car volumes also increased, reaching 3,109,362 units. Growth was driven by strong demand in Spain (+27.1%), France (+26.3%), Germany (+10.3%) and Italy (+8.9%). HEVs now make up more than a third of all new EU car registrations.

Plug-in hybrids recorded one of the fastest growth rates. Registrations climbed to 819,201 units YTD, boosted by surging demand in Spain (+109.6%), Italy (+76.5%) and Germany (+63.4%). PHEVs now hold a 9.1% market share, up from 7% last year.

Overall year-on-year growth in October 2025 showed BEV registrations rising 38.6%, hybrid-electric models up 9.4% and plug-in hybrids surging 43.2%.

Petrol and diesel share continues to shrink

Demand for internal combustion engine vehicles continued to weaken. Petrol car registrations fell 18.3% YTD to 2,459,151 units, reducing their market share to 27.4%, down from 34% in the same period of 2024. All major EU markets recorded double-digit declines, with France seeing the largest drop at 32.3%, followed by Germany (-22.5%), Italy (-16.9%) and Spain (-13.7%).

Diesel registrations fell even further, declining 24.5% YTD and reducing the fuel type’s share to 9.2%. October’s year-on-year figures showed petrol down 14.3% and diesel down 21.9%.

Transition gathers pace but remains uneven

While ACEA highlighted the positive momentum in electrified powertrains, it also noted that overall EU car market volumes remain subdued compared with the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation said the latest figures underline both the progress made in electrification and the scale of the challenge ahead as policymakers and manufacturers work toward 2030 climate and mobility goals.