European car sales grow in February, led by electric vehicles
European automotive market returns to growth with electrified models
European car sales grow in February, led by electric vehicles
European new car sales rose 1.7% in February, driven by electric vehicles. Tesla and BYD compete closely as hybrids gain popularity. Learn more about market trends.
2026-03-24T16:41:27+03:00
2026-03-24T16:41:27+03:00
2026-03-24T16:41:27+03:00
After a January decline, the European automotive market returned to growth in February. According to ACEA, new car sales in the EU, UK, and EFTA countries increased by 1.7%, reaching 979,000 vehicles.Electrified models drive the growthElectrified vehicles remain the key driver, accounting for about two-thirds of all sales. In the EU, their share reached 67%, up from 58.5% a year earlier. Battery electric vehicle sales grew by 20.6%, plug-in hybrids by 32.1%, and conventional hybrids by 10.1%, highlighting a shift toward more affordable and practical solutions.Tesla returns to growth, but BYD is closing inAmerican automaker Tesla saw registrations rise by 11.8%, marking its first positive growth since late 2024. However, Chinese rival BYD is expanding even more aggressively, with sales more than doubling. The two brands now hold equal market shares at 1.8%, signaling intensifying competition in Europe's electric vehicle segment.European brands face pressure and adjust strategyMajor players show mixed results: Volkswagen and Stellantis gained 2.2% and 9.5%, respectively, while Renault lost 14.3%. Amid pressure from Chinese manufacturers and weak profitability of electric cars, European authorities are beginning to ease CO2 emission requirements, which could alter the pace of market electrification.Overall, the European market continues to grow, but demand is shifting rapidly: hybrids are emerging as a compromise, and the battle between Tesla and Chinese brands is reaching a new level.
European automotive market, car sales, electric vehicles, Tesla, BYD, hybrids, EV growth, market trends, automotive industry
2026
Michael Powers
news
European automotive market returns to growth with electrified models
European new car sales rose 1.7% in February, driven by electric vehicles. Tesla and BYD compete closely as hybrids gain popularity. Learn more about market trends.
Michael Powers, Editor
After a January decline, the European automotive market returned to growth in February. According to ACEA, new car sales in the EU, UK, and EFTA countries increased by 1.7%, reaching 979,000 vehicles.
Electrified models drive the growth
Electrified vehicles remain the key driver, accounting for about two-thirds of all sales. In the EU, their share reached 67%, up from 58.5% a year earlier. Battery electric vehicle sales grew by 20.6%, plug-in hybrids by 32.1%, and conventional hybrids by 10.1%, highlighting a shift toward more affordable and practical solutions.
Tesla returns to growth, but BYD is closing in
American automaker Tesla saw registrations rise by 11.8%, marking its first positive growth since late 2024. However, Chinese rival BYD is expanding even more aggressively, with sales more than doubling. The two brands now hold equal market shares at 1.8%, signaling intensifying competition in Europe's electric vehicle segment.
European brands face pressure and adjust strategy
Major players show mixed results: Volkswagen and Stellantis gained 2.2% and 9.5%, respectively, while Renault lost 14.3%. Amid pressure from Chinese manufacturers and weak profitability of electric cars, European authorities are beginning to ease CO2 emission requirements, which could alter the pace of market electrification.
Overall, the European market continues to grow, but demand is shifting rapidly: hybrids are emerging as a compromise, and the battle between Tesla and Chinese brands is reaching a new level.
