Against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, new car sales in the European Union have remained strong since the start of the year: up 4.2% compared with 2025, according to figures published by ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association). This momentum is driven in particular by electric vehicles, which saw strong growth last month (over 255,000 EVs delivered in April). Whilst models with internal combustion engines continue to decline, the car market may have reached a tipping point towards the energy transition, against a backdrop of high oil prices.
One in five new cars sold is electric
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has just published the registration figures for April. Whether they are fully electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), electric cars are gaining ground. Bolstered by tax breaks and incentives in major European countries, consumers are now finding it easier to make their choice, given that fuel prices have not fallen since the start of the war in Iran.
In detail, during the first four months of the year, 746,899 electric cars (BEVs) were registered, accounting for nearly 20% of the European market, compared with 15% a year earlier. The leading countries – France, Germany and Italy – account for two-thirds of new electric vehicle registrations. In France, the number of electric vehicle registrations (148,200 units) has risen by 48.2% since January 2026.
A historic turning point in April
The figures for April alone are spectacular. Sales of electric vehicles soared by 38.3%, totalling 255,300 cars (including 36,216 in France, the EU’s third-largest market). As if echoing the international events blocking the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the share of fully electric vehicles is booming and now accounts for 22.2% of total sales in the EU, including the UK (compared with just 17% in 2025). For the first time, EV penetration equals the share of petrol cars (22.2%). This likely marks a historic turning point in the transition.
Among other electrified models, HEVs (full hybrids) remain the dominant category, accounting for 38.2% of the market share, whilst PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) account for 9.6% of the market.
The largely electrified European market
In summary, for the first four months of 2026, in Europe (including the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland), the new car market breaks down as follows:
- hybrids (HEV): 38%
- petrol: 22.4%
- battery electric vehicles (BEVs): 20.9%
- plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): 10.1%
- diesel: 6.7%
Since the start of 2026, the total number of registrations has been 3,794,280, representing a 4.2% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Brand by brand since January 2026
Looking at how manufacturers have fared since the start of the year, the Volkswagen Group (Audi, VW, Skoda, Cupra, Seat, etc.) remains in the lead with over 1 million cars sold (+2.9%), representing a 26.7% market share. In second place, Stellantis follows with nearly 650,000 units sold (+7.8%), representing a 17% market share. The Renault Group (380,000 sales, down 7.4%), Toyota (268,000 sales, down 2.5%) and Hyundai (265,000 sales, down 3.1%) have all seen a decline over the past four months.
New entrants are making headway
It is worth noting that, among the new entrants, Chinese brands (almost all of whose models are electrified) are posting triple-digit growth rates, although they were all starting from a very low base. In the first four months of 2026, in Europe and the UK:
- BYD sold nearly 72,000 units (+153%)
- Chery Group sold nearly 48,300 units (up 267%)
- Leapmotor sold 28,700 units (+558%)
- SAIC Motor sold 77,000 cars (+10%)
However, apart from SAIC Motor (MG), which has been established for some time, none of these newer entrants has a market share of 1%.
Finally, Tesla, which holds a 1.8% market share, continues to sell despite production halts for the Model X and S. Since January, 67,400 Teslas have been registered, representing a 62% increase compared with 2025.
