The landscape of the European automotive market has undergone a transformation that, until recently, seemed almost like science fiction. In just one year, the Electrified cars have gone from being an alternative to becoming the majority choiceto the point of achieving a historic overtaking: plug-in models and, in December, even pure electric models, have surpassed gasoline-powered ones.
Behind this change lies a combination of factors: Increasingly stringent environmental regulations, a much wider and more aggressively priced supplyPublic subsidies and a different social perception of combustion have resulted in 2025 marking a turning point, with Europe leading the way and Spain following suit with considerable force.
December's milestone: more electric vehicles than gasoline vehicles in the European Union…
Data from the European employers' federation ACEA confirms that December 2025 will be remembered as the month of the overtaking.For the first time on record, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have overtaken gasoline vehicles in market share within the European Union: BEVs reached 22,6% of registrations, in front of 22,5% of gasolineThe difference is minimal, but enough to confirm a change in trend that had been developing for years.
The electric push in that last month has been overwhelming. BEV sales grew by around 51% year-on-yearWhile plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) increased by approximately 36,7%. All of this occurred within a context where the overall market was also rising, by around 5,8% in December in the EUThis indicates that it is not just an internal transfer, but an expansion of the overall volume, with the electrified vehicles taking a good portion of the market.
On the other hand, gasoline and diesel are rapidly losing ground. By year's end, Registrations of petrol cars fell by nearly 20%. year-on-year in the EU, and diesel plummeted even further, with declines exceeding 24% in some markets. Countries such as France (-32% for gasoline), Germany (-21,6%), Italy (-18,2%), and Spain (-16%) exemplify a decline of traditional combustion which is starting to resemble what happened with diesel after 'dieselgate'.
Fully electrified: this is how the distribution by technology looks…
By 2025, the European market for new cars In the EU + EFTA + UK area, registrations reached over 13,2 million, representing growth of nearly 2,4% compared to 2024. Beyond the total volume, the key finding is the shift in the type of engine chosen by drivers. Currently, one in three passenger cars sold is an electric vehicle. hybrid carWhile plug-in models already outnumber gasoline models, consolidating a clear transition towards electric mobility and progressively reducing the weight of traditional combustion.
The data reflects a growing dominance of HEV and MHEV hybrid systems, which account for around 34,5% of the European market and are the most in-demand option. Meanwhile, electric car Pure reaches rates close to 17-19%, while the plug-in hybrids They range between 9% and 10,7%. Adding both plug-in technologies together, the electrified vehicles They account for approximately 30% of all registrations, demonstrating a structural change in purchasing preferences and manufacturers' strategies.
In contrast, conventional combustion is steadily losing ground. Gasoline accounts for around 26% of the market, and diesel has fallen below 9%, figures clearly lower than those of 2024. In absolute terms, the European electric vehicles Sales exceeded 2,5 million units, while PHEVs surpassed 1,2 million. Gasoline sales fell by almost 19% and diesel sales continued to decline, confirming the consolidation of the electric car market compared to traditional engines.
The overtaking of plug-in hybrids over gasoline engines throughout 2025…
Beyond the specific milestone in December, the other major development for 2025 lies in the year-to-date figures. According to market analyses based on ACEA data, The combined sales of pure electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) now exceed those of gasoline vehicles in Europe.In the EU + EFTA + UK combined, plug-in vehicles reached approximately 3.858.088 units (2.585.187 BEV and 1.272.901 PHEV), above the 3.467.041 gasoline cars.
If the focus is limited to the European Union, the crossing has also occurred, although by a very small margin. The number of BEVs and PHEVs registered in the EU in 2025 is around 2,90 million. (about 1,88 million pure electric vehicles and 1,01 million plug-in hybrids), compared to approximately 2,88 million gasoline carsIn December the gap was even more evident: around 217.898 battery electric vehicles and 102.914 PHEVs in the EU, compared to 216.492 gasoline. The The overtaking of plug-in hybrids is now statistically clearalthough the margin is still narrow.
Behind this overtaking are two parallel movements. On the one hand, a strong growth of plug-in vehicleswith increases of around 30,9% overall (BEV + PHEV) compared to 2024. On the other hand, a sharp decline in traditional fuelsWith gasoline sales falling by almost 19% and diesel by around 24%. In this context, non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs and MHEVs) are consolidating their position as the preferred compromise solution for many drivers, dominating the European market by volume. over 4,5 million units and a market share of over 34%..
Important nuances: hybrids, microhybrids, and how the numbers are counted
Although European statistics seem clear, it is important to clarify how the data is classified. hybrid carsACEA groups both HEVs and MHEVs under the term “electric hybrids,” meaning everything from full hybrids capable of driving in electric mode to 48V micro-hybrids that only assist the internal combustion engine. Many of these vehicles still have a gasoline engine as their base, so technically they continue to be combustion cars with electric assistance. This distinction directly influences the actual perception of the progress of electric car market.
If mild and full hybrids were added to pure gasoline vehicles, combustion would still outperform the battery electric vehicles in total volume. However, regulators and manufacturers include HEV and MHEV within the electrified mechanics because they contribute to reducing emissions and fuel consumption. Furthermore, they are essential for brands to meet the average CO₂ targets required in Europe. Therefore, even if they are not fully electric, they are considered part of the transition towards sustainable electric mobility and a key intermediate step in the evolution of the sector.
Something similar happens with the term "plug-in", which encompasses both pure electric vehicles (BEV) , the plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)These latter vehicles combine a combustion engine and a rechargeable battery, allowing them to travel several kilometers in zero-emissions mode, but they still depend on fuel. Therefore, headlines like "more electric vehicles than gasoline vehicles are sold" require context: this is true in certain months, but overall, hybrids dominate the annual figures, plug-in hybrids are growing strongly, and the traditional combustion It loses weight, although it still retains relevance in the European automotive market.
Key countries: Germany in the lead, Nordic momentum and Eastern takeoff…
The geographical distribution of electrification also provides interesting clues. Germany leads in absolute volume, With a 545.000 registrations of pure electric vehicles and around 311.000 plug-in hybrids in 2025. The United Kingdom is right behind with over 473.000 BEVs and 225.000 PHEVs, confirming its role as one of the markets with the greatest absorption capacity for the plug-in car.
In Northern Europe, the percentages are even more striking, although they should also be interpreted carefully. Norway, for example, presents a share of close to 96% of pure electric vehicles (BEVs) out of total registrations According to official figures, and in some analyses reaching 97,4% when BEVs and PHEVs are combined under the "fully electric" label, countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland also show very high plug-in vehicle shares, exceeding 60-70% of the market in some cases.
On the other hand, Eastern Europe is beginning to move from still relatively small figures, but with spectacular growth. Countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have more than doubled their plug-in vehicle registrationswith increases exceeding 100% compared to 2024. Their absolute volume remains modest compared to Germany or France, but they are a sign that Electrification is no longer exclusive to "pioneer" markets..
Spain: Strong pull of plug-in vehicles and gasoline in retreat…
Spain has strongly joined the trend of electric mobilityAlthough starting from more moderate figures than other European countries, 1.148.650 passenger car registrations were recorded in 2025, representing a 12,9% increase compared to the previous year. Beyond the volume, the significant change lies in the market composition, where the electrified cars They are gaining prominence compared to traditional combustion. This shift reflects a progressive transformation of Spanish automotive market, driven by new environmental regulations and increased consumer interest.
According to sector data, the electric cars and plug-in hybrids They reached over 225.000 units, with a share of nearly 20% of total passenger car sales. Within this segment, the electric car The purebred exceeded 100.000 registrations, while the plug-in hybrids They approached 124.000, with very significant growth compared to 2024. If all vehicles are considered, not just passenger cars, the figure of electrified vehicles It is approaching 246.000 units, consolidating a sustained expansion trend in the field of automobile electrification.
Meanwhile, pure combustion is clearly losing ground. Gasoline sales fell by around 16% and diesel sales dropped by more than 35%, confirming the shift in preferences. The advance of the electric car purchase It is partly linked to public aid such as the MOVES Plan and the arrival of brands with competitive price and good equipment. This combination of incentives and affordable offers is encouraging both individuals and companies to renew their fleets in anticipation of Low Emission Zones.
The key role of fleets and new climate obligations…
Another element that explains the rise of electrified vehicles is the behavior of the professional channel. The 2025 figures do not only reflect the decisions of individualsCompany registrations, rentals, and leasing are becoming increasingly important. In many countries, corporations are renewing their vehicle fleets with electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. adapt to future European emissions standards and ESG requirements (environmental, social and corporate governance criteria).
Although the European Union has slightly softened its climate roadmap —lowering the CO₂ emissions reduction target for 2035 from 100% to 90%.—, but that hasn't slowed down fleets' commitment to electrification. In fact, many manufacturers and large companies take it for granted that Combustion will be relegated to specific niches and that plug-in technologies will be the norm in the bulk of the European market over the next decade.
In Spain, for example, the distribution of channels in 2025 shows a very high weight of companies and leasing in the purchase of electrified vehiclesIndustry associations themselves emphasize that a large part of the registrations of pure electric vehicles and PHEVs are explained by the renewal of corporate fleets, which seek to reduce both emissions and operating costs, taking advantage of the lower cost per kilometer of zero or low emissions models compared to traditional combustion engines.
A market that is moving forward despite the common regulatory relaxation…
The advancement of the electric cars and electrified vehicles This comes in a somewhat contradictory political environment within the European Union. Brussels has partially softened the total ban on the sale of combustion engine cars by 2035, transforming it into a target of reducing emissions by 90% and leaving room for technologies such as e-fuels. This flexibility seemed to indicate doubts about the electric mobilityBut market behavior shows the opposite: consumers continue to opt for plug-in options despite a less strict regulatory framework.
Data from 2025 reveals that many buyers are anticipating future restrictions and prioritizing favorable environmental labels and lower emissions. total cost of ownership. The growth of electric car and the plug-in hybrid It responds more to market decisions than to legal impositions, consolidating a progressive transition towards automobile electrificationAlthough regulations are being adjusted, demand continues its upward trend, driven by energy efficiency, savings in daily use, and a greater supply of competitive models.
Industry analysts predict several more years of expansion for the European electric vehiclesAlthough the pace varies depending on the country and segment, it is estimated that it could still be a few years before pure electric vehicles completely surpass combustion engines in total volume, but the direction is already clear. The market has entered a phase where plug-in cars They surpass gasoline in relevance, and combustion is steadily losing ground, consolidating the electric mobility as a present reality rather than as a mere future projection.
