September gives electric cars the edge in Spain: one in three are charged, while hybrids continue to lead the market

01/10/2026 13:23

Updated to

01/10/2026 13:24

Spain ended September with strong growth in electrified technologies. Pure electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) saw 31,945 new registrations, a 56% increase from the previous year, accounting for 34% of all passenger cars sold that month. Meanwhile, non-plug-in hybrids (HEV) remain the most popular choice among Spanish buyers. Thus, the market moves toward greater electrification at varying speeds: HEV vehicles maintain their sales volume while plug-in models drive the fastest growth.

This combination is likely a more accurate representation of what’s happening than focusing solely on sales of pure electric vehicles. Spanish consumers are gradually moving away from purely internal combustion engines, but not everyone makes the same transition: some opt for conventional hybrids, others for PHEVs, while an increasing proportion choose electric vehicles directly.

In total, September saw 93,858 passenger cars registered, a 10.2% increase from the previous year. However, plug-in vehicles grew much faster than the overall market.

BEV and PHEV sales rise 56% in just one year

Pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids reached 31,945 units in September, raising their share to 34%. This is ten percentage points higher than in September 2025, an acceleration that positions plug-in vehicles as a significant part of the market rather than a minor alternative.

Pure electric vehicles also became the second most registered technology that month, with over 100,000 units registered by the end of 2026. From January to September, BEVs and PHEVs combined for 217,298 registrations, a 36.9% increase, accounting for 23.8% of the market.

Conventional hybrids remain the favorite option

The rapid growth of plug-in vehicles does not mean that HEVs are losing their relevance. Non-plug-in hybrids remain the best-selling propulsion technology in Spain, reflecting a more gradual transition for many drivers. They allow for reduced fuel consumption and the attainment of an ECO label without the need for a charging station.

Thus, Spain’s market is electrifying through two paths. Conventional hybrids currently account for the largest volume, while pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are showing the fastest growth rates.

Improvements are also evident in emissions: cars registered in September averaged 88.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer, 9% less than a year ago.

Subsidies coincide with further growth

The increase in plug-in models comes after the launch of the Plan Auto+ platform at the end of August. Faconauto notes that the combined share of BEVs and PHEVs has risen from 21% at the start of the year to 34% by September, with around 65% of these registrations being from private individuals.

There are other factors at play: more models available, increased competition among manufacturers, and fuel prices that once again influence purchasing decisions. Spain already has 912,059 passenger cars registered in 2026, a 6.7% increase, with the industry maintaining its forecast of exceeding 1.2 million by the end of the year.

But the truly significant figure lies in how these sales are distributed: conventional hybrids remain the most common entry point into electrification, while plug-in cars are gaining ground at a much faster pace.