Europe’s car market crossed a quiet but meaningful milestone at the end of last year. In December, fully electric vehicles edged ahead of petrol-only cars in European Union registrations, marking the first time battery powered models took the lead in monthly sales. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 22.6% of new EU registrations, narrowly overtaking internal combustion engine (ICE) cars at 22.5%. The shift highlights how consumer behavior is moving, even as policymakers debate slowing the pace of regulation.
Industry figures show electric cars captured just over a fifth of new EU registrations during the month, while hybrids continued to dominate overall. Gasoline-electric hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, accounted for roughly 44% of new cars sold, giving them the largest share of the market. Combined, electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles represented about 67% of all EU registrations in December, underlining how deeply electrification has penetrated the market.
Competition is also reshaping the battery electric vehicle landscape in the European Union. Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding their footprint in Europe, adding pressure on established brands already struggling to balance costs and margins.
Companies such as BYD and Geely are scaling quickly, while European manufacturers push new electric models to defend market share. December’s figures show this tension clearly, with BYD registrations rising by more than 200% year on year, while Tesla’s registrations fell by about 20% during the month.
This acceleration is happening as political certainty surrounding EV adoption fades. The European Union recently signaled openness to softening rules that would have effectively ended new combustion engine sales by 2035. The move reflects concerns from carmakers facing slower EV uptake in certain markets, rising competition from imports, and challenges turning electric models into profitable products.
Chris Heron, secretary general of E-Mobility Europe, said manufacturers are adjusting by rolling out more affordable electric options and tailoring offerings to local markets. He pointed to renewed incentive programs and rising consumer acceptance as signs that growth will continue into next year.
Overall car sales strengthened as well in 2025, with registrations across the EU, Britain, and the European Free Trade Association climbing 7.6% to around 1.2 million units in December, pushing annual volumes to their highest level in five years, though they still remain below pre-pandemic norms.
Electrified vehicles accounted for most of that growth, with battery electric registrations rising by more than 50% year on year in December, far outpacing the broader market. The December milestone does not signal the end of petrol cars, nor does it guarantee a smooth transition to electric cars.
Hybrids remain the most popular new energy vehicle for European drivers, and infrastructure gaps and pricing pressures persist. Still, the balance is shifting. In Europe, electric vehicles are no longer trailing gasoline models; they are setting the tempo for where the market goes next. If this trend of EV uptake continues in Europe, American electric vehicle makers like Lucid Motors (NASDAQ: LCID) could find themselves giving more focus to that market rather than expending efforts towards dominating their domestic market that has more hurdles to be overcome.
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