Europe's electric vehicle sales hit one‑fifth of market as Brembo unveils brake‑by‑wire system

In the first five months of 2026, fully electric cars accounted for about 5 % of new registrations in the European Union, up from 15.3 % a year earlier. When the EU market is combined with the United Kingdom and EFTA members, electric vehicles represent 21.4 % of all new passenger‑car sales, overtaking gasoline models whose share fell to 21.7 %. The strongest growth was recorded in Italy (+75.7 %), France (+55.4 %) and Germany (+40.9 %). Tesla drove much of the increase, nearly doubling its European sales in May, while Chinese manufacturers together captured a 10.7 % market share.

Amid the shift toward electrified drivetrains, Italian brake supplier Brembo introduced Sensify, a brake‑by‑wire system that replaces hydraulic components with sensors, electronic actuators and artificial‑intelligence software. The system can be integrated into new or existing vehicle platforms, reduces weight and space, and offers independent wheel‑by‑wheel braking force control for improved stability and precision. Brembo says Sensify is especially suited to hybrid and electric cars where regenerative braking reduces the role of traditional hydraulic brakes.