TL:DR – EU Electric Car Sales Exceed Petrol Vehicles for First Time in December 2025
• Sales of fully electric cars surpassed petrol-only vehicles in the EU for the first time in December 2025.
• The EU registered more hybrid electric cars last year, indicating a market shift.
• A 90% reduction in CO2 emissions is now required by 2035, down from 100%.
• Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France accounted for 62% of battery-electric car registrations.
• Petrol car registrations fell by 18.7% in 2025, with France seeing the largest drop at 32%.
• The EU auto industry employs 13.6 million people and generates 8.1% of EU manufacturing jobs.
Petrol or electric? EVs are becoming more popular than fuel-powered cars in Europe
Sales of fully electric cars in the EU overtook petrol-only models for the first time in December 2025, as Brussels moved to soften its 2035 emissions rules, industry figures show.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said the shift coincided with an EU revision to its 2035 targets, lowering the required CO2 cut from 100% to 90%.
EU Electric Car Sales Overtake Petrol in December 2025
ACEA data shows the crossover point arrived at the end of 2025, reflecting rapid growth in battery-electric registrations across several major markets.
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France accounted for 62% of EU battery-electric registrations.
Hybrid Cars Still Lead EU Car Market in 2025
Despite the monthly milestone for fully electric cars, hybrids remained the EU’s largest category across 2025. The figures suggest many buyers continue to opt for mixed powertrains as charging infrastructure and price pressures shape demand.
Petrol and Diesel Registrations Fall as Incentives Shift
Petrol registrations fell 18.7% by the end of 2025, with the steepest drop in France at 32%, according to ACEA.
Diesel’s share slipped below 10% as incentives and consumer preferences continued to move towards electrified models.