EV sales numbers surge across Europe in May, and their market share too

Registrations of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across Europe experienced a significant surge in May, with many countries reporting substantial increases in market share despite slower overall passenger car growth. Norway remains the clear frontrunner, with BEVs representing an extraordinary 97.8 per cent of new car registrations in May, maintaining a near-total market share of 98 per cent for the year to date. Other Nordic countries also showed strong growth, with Sweden’s EV market share rising to 41 per cent and Finland reaching 47.7 per cent for the year so far. Several Western European markets also recorded notable gains in electric vehicle adoption. France’s EV market share nearly doubled from 16 per cent in May 2025 to 29 per cent this year, while the Netherlands and Belgium saw their shares climb to 41.3 and 37.3 per cent respectively. Denmark reported an impressive 78.7 per cent of all car sales being electric in May, with private buyers accounting for an even higher 95.8 per cent share. Southern European countries like Spain and Italy also showed rapid growth, with Italy’s combined EV and plug-in hybrid market share rising to 19 per cent, up significantly from the previous year. The data on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) presented a more varied picture across Europe. While some countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands saw increases in PHEV market share, others such as Sweden and France experienced declines. For instance, PHEVs in Sweden dropped to 24.5 per cent year to date, and France’s PHEV registrations fell to 6 per cent in May 2026. This divergence highlights differing consumer preferences and regulatory impacts across the continent. Portugal stood out as an exception to the overall positive trend, with mixed results. Although the number of EV registrations increased by 37 per cent in May, the overall growth in car sales meant the EV market share actually declined from 32 per cent to 24.5 per cent. Year to date, BEVs accounted for 24.5 per cent of new registrations, but total EV registrations fell by 25 per cent, indicating a more complex market dynamic in the country. The continued expansion of electric vehicle market share across Europe underscores the accelerating shift towards electrification in the automotive sector. With many countries achieving substantial penetration of BEVs and plug-in hybrids, the data suggests that electric mobility is becoming increasingly mainstream. This trend is likely to influence future policies, infrastructure development, and manufacturer strategies as Europe moves towards its climate and emission reduction targets.