Electric vehicles surpass gasoline cars in European registrations

In the first half of 2026, electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Europe surpassed gasoline-powered vehicle registrations for the first time. Across the European Union, EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), and the United Kingdom, battery-powered propulsion reached 1,608,200 registrations, compared to 1,590,767 for gasoline vehicles.

The shift was particularly pronounced in June 2026, when EV registrations grew by 51% compared to June 2025, while gasoline vehicle registrations saw a decline of 12.2%.

This trend is attributed to an expanding range of consumer choices, including full electric, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models. Market growth is also being driven by technological advancements in vehicle performance and the progressive expansion of charging infrastructure, which facilitates use beyond domestic charging settings.