Europe's EV Market Hits Record High but a New China Threat Awaits

Europe's EV market hits record high but a new China threat awaits

Fully electric cars grabbed their biggest-ever slice of the European market in May, as government support, cheaper-running costs and steeper petrol prices pushed more buyers toward battery power. Across 17 European markets, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations climbed 34.4% compared with a year earlier, hitting 212,387 cars. That gave fully electric models a 23.6% share of the market, according to figures from E-Mobility Europe, New Auto…

EV market share record in Europe: Nearly 1 in 4 cars sold are fully-electric

New figures from New AutoMotive and E-Mobility Europe show that new market share of fully-electric cars reached a record high, with nearly one in four new car buyers going electric. Across 17 key European markets, 212,387 EVs were sold in May alone, accounting for 23.6% of new cars sold in the period. This brings the year-to-date EV registrations to nearly one million, with 962,010 electric cars sold across these 17 territories so far this year.

European EV market hits new high with one in four electric

European battery electric vehicle registrations hit a record 23.6% market share in May 2026, with 212,387 fully electric cars sold across 17 key markets, up 34.4% year-on-year. Year-to-date registrations now stand at 962,010, up 31.8% on 2025. Seven of the top ten best-selling BEVs in Europe this year are from European brands, with carmakers reporting rising order books. Renault’s EV orders are up 50% in key markets. BMW’s new iX3 has attracted …