EU new-car registrations climb 5.7% in H1 2026 as BEVs hit 20.7% market share

The European Union’s new-car market grew 5.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching just under 5.9 million registrations, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The June performance was particularly strong, with demand surging 13.6% to over 1.14 million units compared to the same month last year. ACEA attributed the growth to persistent geopolitical headwinds and robust consumer demand for electrified vehicles, supported by market incentives. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) captured 20.7% of the market, up from 15.6% in the first half of 2025, while hybrid-electric cars maintained their lead with a 37.3% share. The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 29.7%, down from 37.8% a year earlier. The data underscores the accelerating shift toward electrified powertrains in the EU, despite broader economic challenges.