Share of electric cars in new EU registrations reaches all-time high

Electric vehicles accounted for a record share of new car registrations in the European Union last year, official figures showed on Tuesday, as more and more drivers are going electric amid rising fuel prices and cheaper models.

Of all new car registrations in 2025, 17.3% were battery electric vehicles, meaning every sixth new car had a fully electric drive, the German statistical office said, citing figures from the bloc's Eurostat agency.

Vehicles with a hybrid drive accounted for 42.4% of new passenger car registrations, while petrol- and diesel-powered cars made up 27.3% and 9.8% respectively.

The share of fully electric cars in new EU car registrations has risen massively over the past decade, from 0.4% in 2025, as infrastructure including charging stations has improved, while electric cars have also become cheaper.

Rising fuel prices have also contributed to the trend.

Denmark was the country with the largest share in newly registered e-cars at 67.8%, followed by the Netherlands with 40.2% and Malta at 37.6%.

Electric cars accounted for the lowest share of new cars in Croatia, at 1.9%, Slovakia, with 4.7%, and Bulgaria, at 4.9%.

And the positive trend is expected to continue this year, with the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reporting a rise in the proportion of fully electric cars to 20.7% in the first half of 2026, up from 15.6% in the same period last year.

The industry group, whose figures also include European non-EU countries, said it sees particular potential for further growth in Germany, France and Denmark.