European EV sales hit record in 'pivotal' year for affordable cars, study shows
- Brussels-Based Transport and Environment reported record European EV sales of 1.64 million in the January-to-August period, up 45% year-on-year, in its progress report released today.
- Manufacturers expanded their lineups to meet EU emissions targets, with model choice surging 50% in a single year as carmakers race to close compliance gaps.
- EVs captured 22% of the market, six points higher than last year. European carmakers dominated with nearly 60% of available models, while Chinese manufacturers held 21%.
- Volkswagen, the German auto group, is rolling out affordable EVs including the all-electric Polo to close its compliance gap and help carmakers avoid potential fines.
- Diesel costs have surged 38% since the Iran war began, adding €30 to a 50-litre tank as rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict accelerate the EV transition.
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Cheaper EVs are fuelling Europe's electric car boom, and the rules behind them are up for revision
Battery-electric sales in the EU reached 1.64 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 45%, with 16 models under EUR 25,000 due on sale by the end of the year. Transport and Environment says the version of the 2035 target proposed by Parliament’s rapporteur would cut sales of those cheap models by nearly […] This story continues at The Next Web
In Germany, around 88,600 pure electric cars were newly registered in September.
In the second quarter of 2026, for the first time in a full quarter, electric vehicles were overrun by petrol engines by sales volume.
In the first eight months of the year, 45 percent more pure electricity was sold in the EU than a year ago. In Austria, their market share is even higher than in the EU cut – and for the first time pure electric cars are in front of classic petrol engines when it comes to new registrations. One of the most important reasons: Finally, more affordable models are coming.
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