Car sales Europe: gasoline dominant, but electric is gaining momentum again

Comeback in Germany

September was a month of surprises and comebacks in the European car market. Electric cars rebounded after five quiet months, hybrids are becoming more popular, and the gasoline engine is holding firm. Especially in Germany, where subsidies for clean cars were ended last year, there has been a resurgence in demand for electric cars. Demand for EVs was also high in Spain, the Netherlands and Italy.

Combustion engine remains king

Despite the electric revival, most European new arrivals are still driving around with a combustion engine under the hood. More than 80 percent of new registrations in September still had an engine running on fossil fuel. In particular, hybrids – and especially mild-hybrids – have grown considerably in popularity. Sales of plug-in hybrids, however, are in a slump.

First nine months

So far, the 2024 figures show a mixed picture. Yes, the number of new passenger cars registered rose slightly by 0.6 percent, but the market share of electric vehicles shrank slightly to 13.1 percent. Especially in Germany, electric sales were dramatic in 2024. Until September, that is.