EU New-Car Market 2026: Hybrids Lead as Petrol and Diesel Decline

EU new passenger-car registrations reached 7,546,397 in the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 5.3% compared with the same period in 2025.

Growth was accompanied by a clear change in powertrain mix. Hybrid-electric models accounted for 36.6% of registrations and battery-electric models for 21.7%, while petrol and diesel combined fell to 29.0% from 37.5% a year earlier.

The pace of change differed across member states, with rapid battery-electric growth in large markets and triple-digit rates in several smaller markets.

Data note: Figures cover January–August 2026 compared with January–August 2025. Current-year data are provisional and may be revised.

A Growing Market With A Changing Mix

The EU passenger-car market expanded year over year while electrified powertrains increased their share of volume. Total registrations of 7,546,397 were 5.3% higher than in January–August 2025. ACEA reported that current-year data are provisional and may be revised, and that the data are based on aggregated information from national automobile associations, ACEA members, and Mobility Global.

The table below summarises registrations by powertrain for the two comparable eight-month periods. Hybrid-electric includes full and mild hybrids. The category Other covers fuel types outside the five main powertrain groups reported by ACEA.

Electrified models therefore supplied the majority of market growth. Battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid-electric registrations all increased, while petrol, diesel and Other registrations declined. For vehicle traders, the result is a larger total market in which demand is concentrated in a different set of powertrains than a year earlier.

Data Table

Powertrain	Jan-Aug 2025	Jan-Aug 2026
Battery electric	1132516	1641333
Plug-in hybrid	633951	758082
Hybrid electric	2484096	2759718
Other	232833	201839
Petrol	2007865	1634733
Diesel	676721	550692

Source: European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Hybrid-Electric Takes The Lead

Hybrid-electric vehicles remained the largest powertrain segment in the EU. Registrations totalled 2,759,718 in January–August 2026, up 11.1% year over year. The segment represented 36.6% of all new-car registrations, a larger share than battery-electric, petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid models.

The definition covers full and mild hybrids. That breadth is relevant for sourcing because the segment includes a wide range of models, price points and fuel-consumption profiles. Volume leadership indicates that hybrids continued to serve as the principal alternative to conventional petrol and diesel cars during the period.

Growth rates varied among the largest markets. Hybrid-electric registrations increased by 21.0% in Spain and 20.5% in Italy. Germany recorded growth of 5.2% and France growth of 1.8%. The variation shows that hybrid demand expanded in all four markets, but at a faster pace in Italy and Spain than in Germany and France.

Battery-Electric Growth Accelerates

Battery-electric vehicles recorded 1,641,333 registrations in January–August 2026, an increase of 44.9% year over year. Market share reached 21.7%, which placed battery-electric models second among powertrains by share and ahead of petrol on a standalone basis.

The increase added more than 500,000 registrations compared with January–August 2025. That increment exceeded the absolute growth recorded by hybrids and plug-in hybrids. The pattern indicates that battery-electric models contributed a substantial portion of overall market expansion during the period.

Plug-in hybrids also increased. Registrations reached 758,082, up 19.6% year over year. Combined, battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models therefore accounted for a growing share of electrified volume alongside hybrid-electric models. Inventory planning that treats chargeable and non-chargeable hybrids as distinct groups reflects the registration structure reported for the period.

Petrol And Diesel Lose Ground

Petrol registrations totalled 1,634,733 in January–August 2026, down 18.6% year over year. Diesel registrations totalled 550,692, also down 18.6%. Both declines occurred while the total market grew, which points to substitution toward electrified powertrains rather than a general contraction in demand.

Together, petrol and diesel accounted for 29.0% of EU registrations, compared with 37.5% a year earlier. The decline of 8.5 percentage points represents a material shift in market composition over twelve months. Petrol remained a larger segment than diesel, but both lost share.

The Other fuel-type category also declined, from 232,833 to 201,839 registrations. The broad decline across petrol, diesel and Other categories underlines the extent to which growth was concentrated in battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid-electric models.

Powertrain Shifts Vary By Country

National results show uneven progress in battery-electric adoption. In the large markets, battery-electric registrations increased by 74.2% in France and 53.1% in Germany on a year-to-date basis. Both rates exceeded the EU average increase of 44.9%, which indicates faster electrification in those two markets during the period.

Absolute battery-electric volumes also differed. Germany recorded 515,545 registrations in January–August 2026, compared with 336,707 a year earlier. France recorded 322,099, compared with 184,872. Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden each recorded higher volumes than in the prior-year period, as shown in the chart below.

Data Table

Country	2025	2026
Belgium	96255	108879
Denmark	75413	106265
France	184872	322099
Germany	336707	515545
Italy	53856	91165
Netherlands	81745	89839
Portugal	31723	45388
Slovenia	3682	9233
Spain	61952	83122
Sweden	62605	76822

Source: European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Among smaller markets, percentage growth was particularly rapid. Battery-electric registrations increased by 329.3% in Croatia, 150.8% in Slovenia and 102.7% in Bulgaria. ACEA presents these figures as growth rates, not market shares. High rates from low starting volumes are typical in early stages of adoption and do not by themselves indicate large absolute demand.

Hybrid-electric growth also varied. The increases of 20.5% in Italy and 21.0% in Spain contrasted with 5.2% in Germany and 1.8% in France. The contrast suggests that national powertrain mixes are moving along different paths, with implications for cross-border sourcing and stock allocation.

What The Mix Means For Vehicle Traders

The January–August 2026 mix points to a market in which hybrid-electric models provide volume and battery-electric models provide growth. Hybrids led with 36.6% of registrations, while battery-electric models reached 21.7% on growth of 44.9%. Plug-in hybrids added further electrified volume at 758,082 registrations. Dealers and importers with stock weighted toward these three groups were aligned with the direction of new-car demand.

The decline in petrol and diesel to a combined 29.0% share indicates reduced depth in conventional segments. Petrol volume of 1,634,733 and diesel volume of 550,692 remained material, but both were 18.6% lower than a year earlier. Procurement focused on conventional powertrains therefore faced a smaller addressable share of new registrations than in the prior-year period.

Country differences require differentiated decisions. Battery-electric momentum was pronounced in France and Germany, while hybrid growth was stronger in Italy and Spain. Smaller markets with triple-digit battery-electric growth rates merit monitoring, but absolute volumes remain modest compared with the largest markets. Exporters and importers operating across borders benefit from matching powertrain selection to the registration pattern of each destination market.

Sources

• European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) — New car registrations: +5.3% in August 2026 year-to-date; battery-electric 21.7% market share
• European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) — New car registrations: +5.3% in August 2026 year-to-date; battery-electric 21.7% market share

Last updated: September 2026. Year-to-date 2026 figures are provisional and may be revised.