Electric vehicles surpassed gasoline and diesel vehicles in the EU in the third quarter. 710,580 to 655,540
Transport & Environment (T&E) counted registrations in the third quarter of 2026. 710,580 fully electric cars were sold in the EU. Gasoline and diesel vehicles combined totaled 655,540. The difference is about 55,000 units.
At first glance, this seems like the end of the internal combustion engine era. There is one caveat: only pure internal combustion engines are counted, not hybrids.
Gasoline, diesel, and hybrids
Gasoline accounted for about 492,930 cars in the third quarter, while diesel accounted for 162,610. According to T&E data, electric cars already surpassed gasoline alone in the second quarter. Now they have overtaken both gasoline and diesel combined.
Hybrids, however, remain strong: 892,380 cars were sold in that quarter. They are therefore about 180,000 units behind electric cars (181,800 to be precise). This still represents a slight advantage of several percent, but the trend is in favor of electric vehicles.
Not just one country, but half a continent
13 out of 27 EU countries have recorded record sales figures for electric vehicles. In 10 countries, BEVs are the best-selling type of vehicle. Therefore, only two or three markets drive the statistics.
Norway has 97.9% share of electric vehicles in new cars. This is not surprising, as the country has supported purchases through lower taxes and incentives for years. Sweden and the Netherlands also have high figures. France, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Ireland have all exceeded a 25% share. Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU, so T&E’s data mixes the Union with broader Europe here.
The most interesting example is Croatia. Electric vehicles account for only 4.2% of the market there, but their sales are growing by 244% (as of 2025), while conventional internal combustion engine vehicles are losing 19% market share. Starting from a low base is helping, but the trend is the same as across the entire Union.
Inexpensive cars are doing the job
The growth is driven mainly by cheaper models. The Chinese have entered the market with budget options such as the Leapmotor B10 and BYD Dolphin Surf. Renault, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen have also responded by launching affordable hatchbacks and crossovers. More models are on the way, including the Citroën 2CV and the new Dacia Spring.
If these two models hit their target prices, the gap with hybrids could close faster than forecasts suggest. So far, no prices have been announced for them.
Which of the cheaper electric cars in the European market deserves your highest level of trust: the Dolphin Surf, B10, or Renault 5?
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