European new car market September 2026: electric cars overtake petrol
EU new car registrations reached 8.52 million in January to September 2026 (+5.7%), electric cars overtook petrol and Estonia grew fastest in the EU.
Battery-electric cars took 22.7% of new EU registrations, while petrol fell to 21.2%. In September alone, almost one in three new cars in the EU was electric (29.9%).
Estonia registered 14,734 new cars from January to September, 56.4% more than a year earlier. Hybrids took 56.9% and battery-electric cars 7.8%.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| EU new cars, Jan–Sep 2026 | 8,517,059 (+5.7%) |
| EU new cars, September 2026 | 971,048 (+9.3%) |
| Battery-electric share, EU Jan–Sep | 22.7% (2025: 16.1%) |
| Battery-electric share, EU September | 29.9% |
| Petrol share, EU Jan–Sep | 21.2% (2025: 27.7%) |
| Hybrid share, EU | 36.3% (2025: 34.7%) |
| Estonia new cars, Jan–Sep | 14,734 (+56.4%) |
| Estonia new cars, September | 1,663 (+41.1%) |
EU market up 9.3% in September
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), 8,517,059 new cars were registered in the European Union from January to September 2026, 5.7% more than a year earlier. September added 971,048 cars, up 9.3% on September 2025. It was the third-strongest month of the year after June (+13.6%) and March (+12.5%).
ACEA credits buyer support measures and a wider range of electrified models for the demand, despite rising energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
Change in EU new car registrations in 2026 (vs same month of 2025)
Source: ACEA, 22 Oct 2026. Analysis: Autoportaal.ee
Electric is now the EU's second powertrain
In August, electric and petrol cars were still level in the EU's year-to-date registrations. By the end of September the gap is clear: 1,931,465 battery-electric cars and 1,802,078 petrol cars were registered from January to September, putting electric 129,387 units ahead. According to ACEA, battery-electric is now the second most popular powertrain in the EU after hybrids.
In September alone, battery-electric cars took 29.9% of registrations and petrol 17.4%. Electric registrations grew 72.9% in the month.
Hybrids (full and mild combined) remain the most popular at 36.3%. Plug-in hybrids rose to 10.1% (2025: 9%). Petrol and diesel combined fell to 28.2%, from 36.9% a year earlier.
Powertrain shares of EU new car registrations, Jan–Sep
2026 2025
Source: ACEA, 22 Oct 2026. Analysis: Autoportaal.ee
| Powertrain | Jan–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 3,090,530 | +10.7% |
| Battery-electric | 1,931,465 | +48.5% |
| Petrol | 1,802,078 | −19.1% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 860,257 | +18.6% |
| Diesel | 602,206 | −19.5% |
| Other | 230,523 | −11.9% |
Among large markets, electric registrations grew most in France (+79.1%) and Germany (+58.1%). Petrol fell in every major market, most sharply in France (−36.1%).
Estonia: 56.4% growth, still the fastest in the EU
Estonia registered 14,734 new cars in the first nine months of 2026, 56.4% more than in the same period last year (9,422). That remains the highest growth of all 27 member states. Estonia also grew fastest in September, with 1,663 registrations, up 41.1% on September 2025.
Part of the growth reflects a low base: Estonia's motor vehicle tax, introduced in 2025, held back new car purchases last year. You can estimate the tax on any car with the Autoportaal car tax calculator.
Powertrain shares: Estonia vs EU, Jan–Sep 2026
Estonia EU
Source: ACEA, 22 Oct 2026. Analysis: Autoportaal.ee
Autoportaal.ee calculations show hybrids made up 56.9% of new car registrations in Estonia, against 36.3% in the EU. Diesel holds 11.1% in Estonia versus 7.1% in the EU, and Estonian diesel registrations grew 80%. The battery-electric share rose to 7.8% (1,153 cars), from 7% a year earlier.
In September, Estonia registered 186 battery-electric cars (68 in September 2025), lifting the monthly share to 11.2%. It was the second month in a row with an electric share above 11%.
| Powertrain | Jan–Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 8,387 | +73% |
| Petrol | 2,280 | +14.1% |
| Diesel | 1,636 | +80% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 1,278 | +26.7% |
| Battery-electric | 1,153 | +75.2% |
| Total | 14,734 | +56.4% |
Estonia and its neighbours
| Country | New cars | Change | BEV share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 14,734 | +56.4% | 7.8% |
| Latvia | 17,530 | −0.2% | 10.4% |
| Lithuania | 36,803 | +17.3% | 8.5% |
| Finland | 56,930 | +5.5% | 50.4% |
In Finland, more than half of all new cars are now battery-electric. Latvia's market is essentially flat year on year.
Fastest-growing EU markets, Jan–Sep 2026
Source: ACEA, 22 Oct 2026. Analysis: Autoportaal.ee
Manufacturers: strong September for Tesla, Chinese brands keep growing
| Group | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Group | 26.2% | +0.7% |
| Stellantis | 15.8% | +5.1% |
| Renault Group | 10.4% | −3.5% |
| Toyota Group | 7% | −0.2% |
| Hyundai Group | 7% | −2.6% |
| BMW Group | 6.9% | +4.6% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 5% | +3.6% |
The best-selling brands in the EU are Volkswagen (881,892 cars), Škoda (573,791) and Toyota (556,825).
Tesla registered 45,866 cars in the EU in September, up 78.6%, for a monthly share of 4.7%. Over nine months Tesla (188,035) moved ahead of SAIC Motor (186,650), while BYD (206,002, +154.4%) stays ahead of both.
By Autoportaal.ee's calculation, BYD, SAIC Motor, Chery Automobile (Chery, Jaecoo, Jetour, Omoda) and Leapmotor together hold 7.1% of the EU market, up from 3.6% a year earlier. Chery grew 246.5% and Leapmotor 393.6%.
Fast-growing manufacturers in the EU, registrations Jan–Sep 2026
Source: ACEA, 22 Oct 2026. Analysis: Autoportaal.ee
Ford (−17.6%), the Hyundai brand (−12.4%), Dacia (−9.9%) and Mitsubishi (−35.9%) declined.
What this means for car buyers in Estonia
"In Europe, electric cars are now more popular than petrol, while in Estonia every second new car buyer chooses a hybrid. That gap will reach our used car market in a few years, as more used electric cars start arriving from Europe," said Ando Rahu, founder of Autoportaal.ee.
- Hybrids will dominate the Estonian used car market too, as they make up more than half of today's new cars.
- Fast-growing electric sales in Europe will widen the choice of imported used electric cars in the coming years.
- Estonia's electric share has been above 11% for the past two months, but remains far below the EU average.
Frequently asked questions
How many new cars were registered in the EU in the first nine months of 2026?
According to ACEA, 8,517,059 new cars were registered in the European Union from January to September 2026, 5.7% more than in the same period of 2025.
Are more electric cars than petrol cars sold in Europe?
Yes. From January to September 2026, 1,931,465 battery-electric cars and 1,802,078 petrol cars were registered in the EU. Electric took 22.7% and petrol 21.2%. Hybrids remain the most popular powertrain at 36.3%.
How many new cars were registered in Estonia in 2026?
Estonia registered 14,734 new cars from January to September 2026, 56.4% more than a year earlier, the highest growth in the EU. Hybrids took 56.9% and battery-electric cars 7.8%.
What is the share of electric cars in Estonia?
Battery-electric cars made up 7.8% of new car registrations in Estonia in the first nine months of 2026, and 11.2% in September. The EU average is 22.7%.
Which carmaker sells the most cars in Europe?
Volkswagen Group is the largest manufacturer group in the EU with a 26.2% share. The best-selling brand is Volkswagen, followed by Škoda and Toyota.
Data and methodology
This overview is based on data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on 22 October 2026, compiled from national automobile associations and manufacturers. 2026 figures are provisional and may be revised. Hybrids include full and mild hybrids; "other" covers fuel-cell, natural gas, LPG and ethanol vehicles. Shares for Estonia and its neighbours and the combined Chinese manufacturer share are Autoportaal.ee calculations based on ACEA data. Autoportaal.ee publishes this European new car market overview every month after ACEA releases its figures.
See also: Car tax calculator | Tesla listings | BYD listings | Toyota listings
