EV market share reaches 19.7% as new EU car registrations rise 4.2%

New car registrations across the EU rose by 4.2% in the first four months of 2026, as growing demand for electrified vehicles continued to reshape the European automotive market, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

The market remained resilient despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and wider economic pressures, with consumers increasingly turning towards battery-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Supportive tax policies and revised incentive schemes across major European countries also continued to support adoption.

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 19.7% of all new EU car registrations between January and April 2026, up significantly from 15.3% during the same period last year. Meanwhile, hybrid-electric vehicles strengthened their position as the dominant powertrain choice, capturing 38.2% of the market.

Combined petrol and diesel registrations continued to decline sharply, falling to 30.2% market share from 38.1% a year earlier.

A total of 746,899 new battery-electric cars were registered across the EU during the first four months of the year. Three of the region’s four largest EV markets recorded particularly strong growth, with Italy posting a 73.1% increase, France rising 48.2%, and Germany up 41.3%. Belgium recorded more modest growth of 1.1%.

Hybrid-electric registrations climbed to 1,447,864 units year-to-date, supported by strong growth in Italy (+25.5%) and Spain (+19.7%), while Germany (+6.6%) and France (+2.3%) also contributed positively.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) also continued their resurgence, with registrations increasing to 364,067 units during the period. Italy again led growth with registrations up 99.2%, while Spain rose 64.3% and Germany increased 17.6%. Plug-in hybrids now account for 9.6% of all EU registrations, compared with 7.9% a year earlier.

By contrast, traditional internal combustion engine vehicles continued to lose ground across Europe.

Petrol car registrations declined by 17.7% year-to-date, with France recording the steepest fall at 36.6%. Spain (-18.6%), Italy (-18%), and Germany (-17.2%) also saw significant declines.

A total of 854,843 new petrol cars were registered between January and April 2026, reducing petrol’s market share to 22.5%, down from 28.5% during the same period last year.

Diesel registrations also continued their long-term decline, falling 16.1% year-to-date and accounting for just 7.7% of all new EU car registrations.