Europe pushes for affordable small electric cars as color palette narrows

A study by iSeeCars of 2025 new‑car models shows that white (25.7%), black (23.4%), gray (22.9%) and silver (8.2%) together account for about 80 % of all new vehicles, leaving less than one‑fifth in other hues. Over the past three decades the share of vibrant colours such as blue, red and green has fallen sharply, while gray shades have steadily risen. Sports cars remain the most colourful segment, with a higher share of blue, red and even purple finishes.

At the same time European manufacturers are gearing up to launch low‑cost, compact electric models to counter the aggressive pricing of Chinese EV makers such as BYD, Leapmotor, MG and Dongfeng. Renault is preparing an electric Twingo and has already released the Renault 5, Citroën is promoting the ë‑C3, Fiat is developing an electric Panda, and the Volkswagen group aims for a model priced around €20 000. The move seeks to make electric mobility accessible to a broader public, address sustainability concerns about oversized EV SUVs, and protect market share against Chinese competition. In Hungary, a price‑sensitive market, the shift echoes historic reliance on small, affordable cars like those from Suzuki.