Electric cars overtook petrol sales in the EU in December 2025

Historic Moment in the Auto Industry: Electrics Overtake Gasoline in the European Union

The European automotive landscape has reached a turning point that many thought was still far away. For the first time in history, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have outsold petrol vehicles in the European Union in a calendar month. December 2025 will go down in history as the moment when the “future” officially became the present of the automotive market.

The Numbers of a Paradigm Shift

Data provided by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) paints a surprising picture, given the skepticism that has hung over the sector in recent years. Here's how the December duel looks in numbers:

• Electric Cars (EU): 217,898 units sold (+51% compared to 2024).
• Gasoline Cars (EU): 216,492 units sold (-19.2% compared to 2024).
• Market share: Electrics captured 22.6%, surpassing gasoline by a hair's breadth of 0.1%.

If we look at the wider European context (including the UK and EFTA countries), the discrepancy is even more visible: electric cars dominated December with a share of 26.3%, leaving petrol behind at 21.7%.

Global Phenomenon: China Accelerating, North America Stagnant

Although many manufacturers have nuanced their discourse on full electrification, the global market has ignored corporate caution. In 2025, 20.7 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide, an increase of 20%.

China remains the main driver of this industry, with a growth of 17%, while North America is the only major region where there has been a decrease in interest in this segment.

The Situation in Romania: Between Pragmatism and Subsidies

In Romania, the car market has partially followed the European trend, but with specific local nuances. Although they have not yet surpassed gasoline in total monthly sales volume, electric cars have gained considerable ground thanks to incentive programs and the expansion of charging infrastructure.

1. Evolution of Registrations: Romanians have begun to migrate to electric vehicles not only for ecological reasons, but also for reduced running costs, despite successive adjustments to the Rabla Plus program.
2. Top of Preferences: Models like the Dacia Spring (which continues to be a volume pillar) and Tesla models dominated the local charts, making electric vehicles a common presence on the roads of major cities.
3. Infrastructure Challenge: Although the number of charging stations increased exponentially in 2025, Romania still faces an uneven distribution of them, massively concentrated in the Bucharest-Ilfov area and in the large urban centers in Transylvania.

Conclusion

The December 2025 performance is a huge symbolic victory for sustainable mobility, demonstrating that consumer appetite for green technology is real when the offer becomes diversified. However, on a full-year basis, petrol still holds the crown (26.1% vs 19.5% in Europe), a sign that the transition is a marathon, not a sprint.

Long-term success will depend on maintaining a balance between the purchase price of electric vehicles and the development of an infrastructure that eliminates "range anxiety" for users outside major metropolises.