Click to enlarge.
Hybrid-electric vehicles again ranked as the most popular powertrain choice amongst buyers during August 2026. Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of new EU car registrations.* Plug-in hybrids captured 10% of the EU market, according to preliminary data released today by The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name- AutoCrat.] The death of the diesel trend continued.
“New EU car registrations increased by 5.3% year-to-date, against a backdrop of rising energy prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Demand for a range of electrified vehicles remained strong, driven by market support measures and a broader model offerings,” ACEA said.**
New EU Car Registrations by Power Source
Up until August 2026, battery-electric cars held a 21.7% share of the EU market, up from 15.8% a year earlier. Hybrid-electric car registrations captured 36.6% of the market. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 29%, compared with 37.5% a year earlier.
Electric Cars
- During the first eight months of 2026, 1,641,333 new battery-electric cars were registered, capturing 21.7% of the EU market.
- Three of the four largest EU markets, which together accounted for 64% of all battery-electric car registrations, recorded strong growth: France (+74.2%), Germany (+53.1%), and Denmark (+40.9%). Belgium also posted an increase (+13.1%).
August 2026 YTD’s figures also showed new EU hybrid-electric car registrations rising to 2,759,718 units:
- Growth in Spain (+21%) and Italy (+20.5%). Germany (+5.2%) and France (+1.8%) also recording increases.
- Overall, hybrid-electric models accounted for 36.6% of the total EU market.
Plug-in-hybrid electric car registrations continued to grow, reaching 758,082 units in January-August 2026.
- There were rising volumes in key markets such as Italy (+77.6%), Spain (+33.9%), and Germany (+15.6%).
- New plug-in-hybrid electric cars now represent 10% of EU registrations, up from 8.8% over the same period in 2025.
Petrol and Diesel Cars
By the end of August 2026, petrol car registrations fell 18.6%, experiencing significant downturns across all major European market.:
- France saw the sharpest decline, with volumes plunging by 35.8%, while other key markets also posted double-digit losses: Spain (-18.5%), Germany (-21.9%), and Italy (-16.7%).
- Accounting for 1,634,733 new cars registered over the past eight months, petrol’s market share fell to 21.7% from 28% last year. In addition,
- The diesel car market continued its downward trend, with registrations declining by 18.6% and representing 7.3% of new EU car registrations, down from 9.4%.
*AutoInformed on
ACEA – New EU Car Registrations Up 5.7% YTD
**ACEA
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 17 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, TRATON GROUP, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
ACEA – Hybrids Top August EU Car Registrations
Click to enlarge.
Hybrid-electric vehicles again ranked as the most popular powertrain choice amongst buyers during August 2026. Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of new EU car registrations.* Plug-in hybrids captured 10% of the EU market, according to preliminary data released today by The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name- AutoCrat.] The death of the diesel trend continued.
“New EU car registrations increased by 5.3% year-to-date, against a backdrop of rising energy prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Demand for a range of electrified vehicles remained strong, driven by market support measures and a broader model offerings,” ACEA said.**
New EU Car Registrations by Power Source
Up until August 2026, battery-electric cars held a 21.7% share of the EU market, up from 15.8% a year earlier. Hybrid-electric car registrations captured 36.6% of the market. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 29%, compared with 37.5% a year earlier.
Electric Cars
August 2026 YTD’s figures also showed new EU hybrid-electric car registrations rising to 2,759,718 units:
Plug-in-hybrid electric car registrations continued to grow, reaching 758,082 units in January-August 2026.
Petrol and Diesel Cars
By the end of August 2026, petrol car registrations fell 18.6%, experiencing significant downturns across all major European market.:
*AutoInformed on
ACEA – New EU Car Registrations Up 5.7% YTD
**ACEA
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 17 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, TRATON GROUP, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.