Electrified mobility continues to gain ground across the European Union. Between January and May 2025, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) together accounted for 50.5% of all new car registrations, marking a key turning point in European consumer preferences.

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), 701,089 battery-electric cars were sold during the first five months of the year, securing a 15.4% share of the EU market, up from 12.1% during the same period in 2024.

Even more notable has been the rise of hybrid-electric vehicles, with over 1.6 million units registered, giving them a 35.1% market share. These models remain the most popular powertrain choice among EU consumers, driven by strong growth in key markets such as France (+38.3%), Spain (+34.9%), Italy (+13.8%), and Germany (+12.1%).

Electric and hybrid cars surge as petrol and diesel decline

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also saw solid gains, reaching 375,182 registrations and an 8.2% market share, buoyed by sharp increases in Germany (+52.8%) and Spain (+66.6%).

In contrast, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continue to lose ground. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 38.1%, a sharp drop from 48.5% during the same period in 2024. Petrol car registrations declined by 20.2%, while diesel cars dropped by 26.6%.

Despite a slight 0.6% year-to-date decline in overall EU car registrations, electrified models are thriving: battery-electric vehicle registrations rose by 25% year-on-year in May, while hybrids were up by 16%.

Germany leads BEV growth while France lags behind

Among major markets, Germany led the growth in battery-electric vehicle sales with a 43.2% increase, followed by Belgium (+26.7%) and the Netherlands (+6.7%). France, on the other hand, saw a 7.1% decline in BEV registrations.

ACEA’s figures confirm a shift that is no longer a future projection but a present reality: one in every two new cars registered in the EU from January to May 2025 was electrified, signalling a structural transition towards cleaner, more sustainable transport.