EU New Car Sales Rise 4%, Electric Vehicles Capture 20% Market Share

The European Union's new passenger car market saw a 4% increase in sales during the first five months of this year, despite challenging geopolitical conditions. A significant shift in powertrain preferences is driving this growth, with electric vehicles (EVs) now holding a substantial 20% market share.

The Serbian Association of Importers of Vehicles and Parts reported that plug-in hybrid vehicles also made a notable advance, capturing 9.7% of the market. This marks the first time plug-in hybrids have outsold diesel vehicles, which saw their share drop to just 7.6%.

Hybrid vehicles continue to lead the market, representing 37.8% of all sales. Meanwhile, gasoline-powered cars experienced a decline, with their market share falling to 22.4%. This overall trend underscores the accelerating electrification of the European automotive landscape.

Sales of EVs saw robust growth across major European markets, including Italy (up 75%), France (up 55.4%), and Germany (up 40.9%). Concurrently, sales of gasoline cars decreased by 18.2%, and diesel sales fell by 16.6%, further confirming the ongoing transition towards electric mobility in Europe.