Year 2026

New car registrations: 4% in Q1 2026; battery-electric 19.4% market share

In Q1 2026, new EU car registrations increased by 4%, driven largely by March’s strong performance. The market was supported by robust consumer activity bolstered by new and
revised tax benefits and incentive schemes across major European countries – see further details in Electric cars: Tax benefits and incentives (2026). Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as
the most popular power type choice among buyers, while the battery-electric car market share reached 19.4%. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids continued to strengthen their position,
underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to decarbonisation.

New car registrations: -1.2% in February 2026 year-to-date; battery-electric 18.8% market share

In February 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, easing the challenging start to the year witnessed in January. The battery-electric car market share reached 18.8% YTD, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to decarbonisation.

New car registrations: -3.9% in January 2026; battery-electric 19.3% market share

In January 2026, new EU car registrations fell by 3.9% compared to January last year, marking a second consecutive challenging start to the year for the market. The battery-electric car market share reached 19.3%, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to decarbonisation.