The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has reported that hybrid electric vehicles continue to gain ground in the European Union, reaching a record 34.8% of all new car registrations in the first half of the year. This solidifies hybrids as the most popular powertrain choice among EU consumers, amid the region’s ongoing transition toward more sustainable mobility.

At the same time, petrol and diesel vehicles have seen a marked decline, with a combined market share of 37.8%, down significantly from 48.2% during the same period in 2024. Diesel cars in particular saw a sharp drop, falling to just 9.4% of the market, while petrol declined to 28.4%.

Souce: ACEA

Overall, new car registrations in the EU dropped by 1.9% compared to the first half of 2024, reflecting the ongoing challenges facing the global automotive industry.

Hybrids lead the shift, EVs show modest gains

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) also continued their upward trend, albeit more moderately, reaching a 15.6% market share, with 869,271 units sold. Germany led the surge with a 35.1% increase in BEV registrations, followed by Belgium (+19.5%) and the Netherlands (+6.1%). In contrast, France saw a 6.4% decline.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) gained momentum as well, rising to 8.4% of the market share, driven by strong growth in key markets: Germany (+55.1%), Spain (+82.5%), and Italy (+56.3%).

Sharp drop for internal combustion engine vehicles

The internal combustion engine segment continues to shrink across the EU. Petrol car registrations fell by 21.2%, with all major markets reporting declines. France experienced the steepest drop at -33.7%, followed by Germany (-27.8%), Italy (-17.2%), and Spain (-13.4%).

Diesel car sales declined even more sharply, dropping 28.1% across the EU, with a 34.1% year-on-year decrease for June 2025 alone.

ACEA’s latest figures confirm a structural shift in consumer preferences across the EU, with electrified vehicles—particularly hybrids—firmly establishing themselves as market leaders. Despite broader economic headwinds, the transition to cleaner mobility continues, though challenges remain on the path to full electrification.