The European car market continues to show steady growth in the popularity of electric vehicles. In the first half of 2026, the share of fully electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars exceeded 30% of total sales, surpassing vehicles with gasoline and diesel engines. BEVs alone accounted for 20.7% of the EU market in the first six months of the year, while PHEVs added another 9.8%. As a result, nearly every third new car in the EU is now equipped with a charging port. For comparison, the combined share of gasoline and diesel cars dropped from 37.8% a year earlier to 29.7%.

Market Leaders and Trends

The most significant growth has been recorded among international manufacturers. American company Tesla and Chinese brands such as BYD, Leapmotor, and Chery are actively capitalizing on the rising demand for electric vehicles and government incentives. Meanwhile, European automakers are losing ground in the market. In June 2026, the Tesla Model Y became the most popular model in Western Europe with 23,664 new registrations—almost four times more than the Volkswagen ID.3. The Tesla Model 3 took second place with 9,380 units. The Skoda Elroq also outpaced the VW ID.3, registering 6,859 cars compared to 6,140.

Top 6 Electric Cars in Western Europe, June 2026:

• Tesla Model Y: 23,664
• Tesla Model 3: 9,380
• Skoda Elroq: 6,859
• Renault R5: 6,831
• Skoda Enyaq: 6,321
• VW ID.3: 6,140

(Data based on registrations in Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.)

Rising Share of Chinese Manufacturers

Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding their presence in the European market. Their share in the EU grew from 6% to 10% in June alone, meaning that now every tenth new passenger car in the EU is a Chinese brand. Leapmotor increased sales by 496%, Chery by 271%, BYD by 199%, and Tesla by 72%. At the same time, the share of German manufacturers fell to 37.3%.

Regional Differences and the Impact of Subsidies

The electric vehicle market in Europe remains uneven. In Scandinavia, the share of electric cars in June reached 67%, while in Eastern European countries it was only 8%. Much of the growth in electric vehicle sales is driven by government subsidies, and if these incentives are reduced, the market could face a slowdown.