New EU car registrations fell by 3.9% in January 2026 compared to the same month last year, marking a second consecutive slow start to the year for Europe’s automotive market.
Despite the overall decline, electrified vehicles continue to gain ground, with battery-electric cars (BEVs) capturing 19.3% of the market — up significantly from 14.9% in January 2025.
The latest figures underline a clear shift in Europe’s car market: electrification is accelerating, while petrol and diesel models continue to lose share.
Battery-Electric Cars: Steady Growth Across Key EU Markets
A total of 154,230 new battery-electric cars were registered across the EU in January 2026.
The four largest EU markets — which together account for around 60% of all BEV registrations — delivered mixed results:
– France: +52.1%
– Germany: +23.8%
– Belgium: -11.5%
– Netherlands: -35.4%
Strong gains in France and Germany helped offset declines in Belgium and the Netherlands, pushing the overall EU battery-electric market share to 19.3%.
For European buyers, this growth signals improving EV availability, competitive pricing, and broader model choice — even amid wider market uncertainty.
Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Remain the Top Choice
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) were once again the most popular powertrain in the EU, accounting for 38.6% of total registrations.
A total of 308,364 hybrid-electric cars were registered in January 2026.
Growth was driven by:
– Italy: +24.9%
– Spain: +9%
Hybrids continue to attract European drivers seeking lower emissions without fully committing to battery-electric mobility. The data reinforces the ongoing importance of a technology-diverse pathway to decarbonisation.
Plug-In Hybrids Gain Momentum
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also posted strong growth at the start of 2026.
Registrations reached 78,741 units, representing 9.8% of the EU market, up from 7.4% in January 2025.
Key growth markets included:
– Italy: +134.2%
– Spain: +66.7%
– Germany: +23%
The surge suggests renewed consumer interest in PHEVs, particularly in countries where incentives or tax benefits remain attractive.
Petrol and Diesel Continue Their Decline
While electrified vehicles gained market share, petrol and diesel models saw sharp declines.
Petrol registrations dropped 28.2% year-on-year across the EU.
Major market declines included:
– France: -48.9%
– Germany: -29.9%
– Italy: -25.5%
– Spain: -22.5%
With 175,989 units registered, petrol’s market share fell to 22%, down from 29.5% a year earlier.
Diesel registrations declined by 22.3%, accounting for just 8.1% of new car registrations in January 2026 — continuing a long-term downward trend in Europe.
Europe’s Market Transition Is Accelerating
Although overall EU car sales contracted in January, the structural shift toward electrified powertrains is unmistakable.
– BEVs: 19.3% market share
– HEVs: 38.6% market share
– PHEVs: 9.8% market share
– Petrol & Diesel combined: 30.1% (down from 39.5% last year)
