Europe's electric car market shows stark regional disparity

A map of new‑car registrations for 2025 reveals that electric vehicles (EVs and plug‑in hybrids) account for about one‑third of all new car sales across Europe, outpacing the global average of 20 %. The highest market shares are in the Nordic bloc and the Netherlands, with Norway leading at a record 96 % of new car sales, followed by Denmark (71 %), Sweden (61 %) and Iceland (62 %). In contrast, several Eastern European markets show penetration below 10 %, such as Russia (2 %), Bosnia‑Herzegovina (5 %) and Romania and Bulgaria (each 6 %). The growth is driven by high per‑capita income, strong fuel taxes and extensive charging networks in the north, while lower purchasing power and limited incentives hinder adoption elsewhere.

A Renault‑commissioned survey of more than 1,600 EV owners in the United Kingdom (with reference to Spain) shows that design now outweighs environmental concerns as the primary purchase factor – 64 % cite aesthetics, rising to 71 % among Renault 5 E‑Tech buyers. Price remains the second most important driver. Satisfaction is high: 96 % would recommend an EV and only 9 % consider returning to a gasoline or diesel car. Owners report lower running costs than expected and confidence in vehicle range (92 %). However, 57 % flag the cost of public charging and 40 % note insufficient charging points as ongoing barriers.