New-vehicle registrations in the European Union rose by 4% for the period January through May 2026 compared to the same period last year, despite geopolitical challenges.
The latest data compiled by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reveals a strong start to the year thanks to robust consumer demand for a range of electrified technologies across key European markets, its June 23 release said.
Hybrid-electric vehicles remained the most popular powertrain choice among buyers, with sales rising to nearly 1.8 million units, supported by growth in Italy, up 24.5%; Spain, up 19.5%; Germany up 5.4% and France up 2.2%. Overall, hybrid-electric models accounted for 37.8% of the total EU market through May.
Registrations of plug-in-hybrid passenger cars also continued to grow, reaching 460,000 units in the Janurary through May period. It was driven by rising volumes in key markets such as Italy, up 84.9%; Spain, up 46.5% and Germany up 16.1%.
New PHEV electric cars represented 9.7% of EU registrations, up from 8.3% over the same 5-month period in 2025.
In the first five months of this year, 950,521 new battery-electric cars were registered, capturing 20% of the EU market. Sales were boosted by new and revised governmental tax benefits and incentive schemes across the region, the ACEA said.
Three of the four largest EU markets, which together represented 63% of all EV registrations, posted growth, with Italy up 75.7%, France rising 55.4% and Germany up 40.9%.
By the end of May, gasoline-powered car registrations declined 18.2%, with decreases across all major markets. France recorded the sharpest drop, with ICE registrations falling by 36.8%, Spain was down 20.3%, Germany 18.5% and Italy down 17.3%.
With 1,065,071 new cars registered in the first five months of this year, the market share for gasoline ICE cars fell to 22.4% from 28.5% in the same period in 2025.
In addition, sales of diesel-powered vehicles continued their downward trend, although at a slower pace, with registrations declining 16.6% and accounting for 7.6% of all new-car registrations, down from 9.5% in the same period in 2025. Overall, the combined market share of ICE vehicles declined to 30.1%, down from 38% a year ago.
“In May 2026 year-to-date new EU car registrations increased 4%, indicating a strong start to the year amid a backdrop of persistent geopolitical headwinds weighing on the outlook,” the ACEA said in its statement.
