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In February 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name] The data of course are before the ongoing Trump mis-administration Iran war.*
“The battery-electric car market share reached 18.8% YTD, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to de-carbonisation. Battery-electric cars accounted for 18.8% of the EU market share in January-February 2026, an increase from 15.2% one year earlier. Hybrid-electric car registrations captured 38.7% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among consumers in the EU. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 30.6%, down from 38.7% over the same period in 2025,” ACEA said in a release.**
Electric Cars
From January to February 2026, 312,369 new battery-electric cars were registered. The four largest markets in the EU, which together account for 61% of battery-electric car registrations, delivered mixed results: France (+38.5%) and Germany (+26.3%) recorded strong growth, while Belgium (-11%) and the Netherlands (-34.9%) experienced substantial declines.
February 2026 YTD figures also showed new EU hybrid-electric car registrations rising to 643,898 units, supported by growth in Italy (+29.5%) and Spain (+13.4%), while Germany remained stable (+1.1%). Completing the four major markets, France recorded a decline of 3.9% compared with the first two months of 2025. Overall, hybrid-electric models accounted for 38.7% of the total EU market.
“Registrations of plug-in-hybrid electric cars continue to show growth, reaching 162,751 units in the first two months of 2026. This was driven by rising volumes in key markets such as Italy (+116.1%), Spain (+71.5%), and Germany (+23.8%). As a result, new plug-in-hybrid electric cars now represent 9.8% of EU registrations, up from 7.4% in the same period last year,” ACEA said.
Petrol and Diesel Cars
During February 2026 YTD, petrol car registrations dropped by 23.3%, with all major markets experiencing decreases. France experienced the steepest drop, with registrations plummeting by 48.5%, followed by Germany (-22.8%), Spain (-20.8%), and Italy (-18.6%).
With 374,774 new cars registered the last two months, the market share for petrol fell to 22.5% from 29% in the same period last year. The diesel car market continued its downward trend, with registrations declining by 17.7% and accounting for 8.1% of new car registrations from January to February.
Battery-electric cars accounted for 18.8% of the EU market share in January-February 2026, an increase from 15.2% one year earlier. As noted above, hybrid-electric car registrations captured 38.7% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among consumers in the EU. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 30.6%, down from 38.7% over the same period in 2025.
*AutoInformed on
**About 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 the EU automobile industry
- 6 million Europeans work in the automotive sector.
- 1% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU.
- €414.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments.
- €93.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union.
- More than 8% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry.
- €84.6 billion in R&D spending annually, 34% of EU total.
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.
EU New Car Registrations Drop in February 2026
Click for more.
In February 2026 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, according to data published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. [aka ACEA at AutoInformed after its original French name] The data of course are before the ongoing Trump mis-administration Iran war.*
“The battery-electric car market share reached 18.8% YTD, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. Hybrid-electric vehicles lead as the most popular power type choice among buyers, with plug-in hybrids consolidating their position in the market, underlining the importance of a technology-neutral pathway to de-carbonisation. Battery-electric cars accounted for 18.8% of the EU market share in January-February 2026, an increase from 15.2% one year earlier. Hybrid-electric car registrations captured 38.7% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among consumers in the EU. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 30.6%, down from 38.7% over the same period in 2025,” ACEA said in a release.**
Electric Cars
From January to February 2026, 312,369 new battery-electric cars were registered. The four largest markets in the EU, which together account for 61% of battery-electric car registrations, delivered mixed results: France (+38.5%) and Germany (+26.3%) recorded strong growth, while Belgium (-11%) and the Netherlands (-34.9%) experienced substantial declines.
February 2026 YTD figures also showed new EU hybrid-electric car registrations rising to 643,898 units, supported by growth in Italy (+29.5%) and Spain (+13.4%), while Germany remained stable (+1.1%). Completing the four major markets, France recorded a decline of 3.9% compared with the first two months of 2025. Overall, hybrid-electric models accounted for 38.7% of the total EU market.
“Registrations of plug-in-hybrid electric cars continue to show growth, reaching 162,751 units in the first two months of 2026. This was driven by rising volumes in key markets such as Italy (+116.1%), Spain (+71.5%), and Germany (+23.8%). As a result, new plug-in-hybrid electric cars now represent 9.8% of EU registrations, up from 7.4% in the same period last year,” ACEA said.
Petrol and Diesel Cars
During February 2026 YTD, petrol car registrations dropped by 23.3%, with all major markets experiencing decreases. France experienced the steepest drop, with registrations plummeting by 48.5%, followed by Germany (-22.8%), Spain (-20.8%), and Italy (-18.6%).
With 374,774 new cars registered the last two months, the market share for petrol fell to 22.5% from 29% in the same period last year. The diesel car market continued its downward trend, with registrations declining by 17.7% and accounting for 8.1% of new car registrations from January to February.
Battery-electric cars accounted for 18.8% of the EU market share in January-February 2026, an increase from 15.2% one year earlier. As noted above, hybrid-electric car registrations captured 38.7% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among consumers in the EU. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 30.6%, down from 38.7% over the same period in 2025.
*AutoInformed on
**About 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 the EU automobile industry
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.