By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent
TechGaged’s research highlights that hybrid models surpassed three million units sold in 2025, making them the most common powertrain in the EU. Petrol models, once the backbone of Europe’s car market, fell sharply, representing just 31.28 per cent of all units registered. Diesel continued its steep decline, dropping to 9.2 per cent.
The shift comes amid a year of globally divergent automotive trends. While EV demand softened in several markets—including the United States and Japan—Europe remained the world’s most consistent region for electrification.
Germany posted a remarkable 39.4 per cent increase in battery-electric sales despite earlier subsidy cuts, further underscoring how Europe’s transition is now primarily market-driven. At the same time, expanding low-emission zones and rising ownership costs for petrol and diesel cars pushed consumers toward electrified options at record pace.
Automakers responded by accelerating their strategic pivot toward electrification, reallocating resources toward EV platforms, software-defined vehicle systems, and next-generation batteries. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers intensified their European push, offering competitively priced electric models that challenged legacy manufacturers on cost and speed of innovation.
Expectations for 2026 and beyond
Looking ahead, TechGaged analysts expect the shift to continue in 2026. Battery-electric market share is forecast to approach 18–20 per cent, driven by the launch of new affordable models such as the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Volkswagen ID.2. Hybrid sales are expected to remain strong, though they may begin to plateau as charging networks mature. Diesel is projected to fall below 7 per cent, while petrol is likely to face further pressure across all segments.
“Europe has entered the post-combustion era. The market has chosen its trajectory, and electrified vehicles are now the default. From here, the question isn’t if combustion engines will fade out—it’s how fast the transition will complete,” added Rokas B.
