Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continued their strong momentum in the European Union in 2025, accounting for 17.4% of the market, up from 13.6% in 2024, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). A total of 1,880,370 new battery-electric cars were registered across the EU, with Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France leading the growth.

The rise in BEV registrations highlights a clear shift in consumer preferences toward electric mobility, as countries push forward with decarbonization targets and regulatory incentives. Germany saw the strongest increase, with registrations up 43.2%, followed by the Netherlands (+18.1%), Belgium (+12.6%), and France (+12.5%). Together, these four markets represent 62% of all battery-electric car registrations in the EU.

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) remain the most popular alternative to conventional engines, capturing 34.5% of the market in 2025. Registrations for hybrids reached 3,733,325 units, supported by strong growth in Spain (+23.1%), France (+21.6%), Germany (+8%), and Italy (+7.9%).

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also showed impressive growth, reaching 1,015,887 units, up from 7.2% to 9.4% of the EU market. Spain (+111.7%), Italy (+86.6%), and Germany (+62.3%) led this surge, reflecting a broader consumer appetite for electrified mobility solutions. In December 2025 alone, BEVs surged 51% year-over-year, while PHEVs grew 36.7%, and HEVs increased 5.8%.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel cars continued their decline. Petrol car registrations fell 18.7%, with France (-32%), Germany (-21.6%), Italy (-18.2%), and Spain (-16%) experiencing the largest drops. Diesel registrations declined 24.2%, resulting in a market share of just 8.9%. Combined, petrol and diesel vehicles now account for only 35.5% of the EU market, down from 45.2% in 2024.

The ACEA data underscores a structural shift in the European car market, with electrification leading the way. As BEVs continue to gain traction, hybrid and plug-in options consolidate their positions, while traditional combustion engines steadily lose ground.