Electrified cars conquer 64% of the Romanian car market, while diesel collapses
The Romanian automotive market is undergoing a profound structural transformation. Although the total volume of new car registrations registered a modest increase of only 0.3% in the first six months of 2026, the internal dynamics of the segments show a radical reconfiguration of preferences. The segment of purely electric cars marked a spectacular advance of 76.6%, according to data centralized by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers (APIA). Romanians are rapidly abandoning traditional engines in favor of hybrid and electric technologies, propelling the market towards a new sustainability record.
June brings an explosion of deliveries and the absolute dominance of SUVs
Statistics from the General Directorate of Driving Licenses and Registrations (DGPCI) indicate an extremely intense activity at the beginning of the summer. In June 2026 alone, the volume of new registered cars reached 16,008 units, representing approximately 84% of the total car market. The figure marks a massive increase of 53% compared to the same period last year.
In terms of preferred body styles, the SUV segment maintains its absolute leading position, controlling a market share of 58.5%. Romanians' preferences are complemented, at a significant distance, by the C-Class (21%) and B-Class (12.8%) models.
The decline of the diesel era and the rise of mild-hybrid systems
The fuel-based analysis reveals a harsh reality for compression-ignition engines. By mid-2026, diesel engines had fallen by 25.7%, dropping to a residual market share of just 4.4%. In parallel, gasoline engines recorded a solid growth of 45%, stabilizing their share at 31% of the total market.
The big winner of the transition, however, remains mild-hybrid technology, whose registrations increased by 29.7%, reaching 24% of the total passenger car market. APIA data shows that this segment is powered mainly by conventional fuels: of the total mild-hybrid engines, 79% run on gasoline, 11% on diesel and 10% on LPG.
Alternative propulsion vehicles are becoming the majority
The sum of all technologies that use electric assistance — whether we are talking about 100% electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), full hybrid or mild-hybrid — reached a historic market share of 64% in June. This technological block now authoritatively dominates the domestic automotive landscape, surpassing the cumulative total of exclusively gasoline or diesel engines.
Within this green niche, fully electric cars hold a 9.4% share (a remarkable evolution from the 3.7% threshold in the previous period), while plug-in hybrid models have risen to a 9.6% share, compared to 6.7% in June last year.
Tesla rules the electric car market, BYD and Chery are strongly attacking the market
When it comes to buyers' nominal choices, the rankings by brand and model reflect both traditional loyalties and the rise of new global players:
- 100% Electric (BEV): The Tesla Model Y dominates the top with 793 registered units and an explosive growth of 378%. Second place is occupied by the Tesla Model 3 (648 units), while the podium is completed by the newcomer BYD Dolphin Surf (457 units).
- Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): The plug-in hybrid segment is controlled by the offensive of Chinese and Asian manufacturers. BYD Seal U leads the ranking with 494 units, followed by Chery Tiggo 9 (352 units) and the established Toyota RAV4 (342 units).
- Full Hybrid (without external recharging): The Toyota Corolla remains the preferred option of Romanians, registering 2,390 units (a 51% increase from one year to the next). The Japanese model is followed by its relative from the concern, the Toyota Yaris Cross (1,357 units), and the Dacia Duster (1,301 units).
- Mild-Hybrid: Despite a 55% contraction compared to last June, the Dacia Duster maintains its first position with 1,553 units registered. The next places are occupied by the Skoda Octavia (915 units) and the new large-class SUV of the domestic brand, the Dacia Bigster (756 units).
Commercial sector: Massive increases in the heavy segment, decreases in electric utilities
The commercial vehicle market is evolving at different levels. The light commercial vehicles and minibus area registered a moderate growth of 2% in June 2026, supported in particular by light commercial vehicles without minibuses (+10.9%). However, electric light commercial vehicles lost momentum, their volume falling to 257 units in the first six months, from 333 units in the same period in 2025.
In stark contrast, the heavy transport and large logistics segment is experiencing a spectacular boom. Registrations of heavy commercial vehicles and buses increased by 35% in June. This performance was massively boosted by the category of heavy commercial vehicles over 16 tonnes and tractor units, which reported a solid increase of 22.8%.
Would you like us to analyze in more detail the evolution of charging stations in Romania in the next article or focus on the impact that new Chinese models (BYD, Chery) have on traditional European manufacturers?
