New car sales rose 13% in June in Europe, driven by electric and hybrid vehicles
The European car market is showing clear signs of recovery in the first half of the year. According to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), buyers purchased 1,407,332 new cars in June in the markets of the European Union, the United Kingdom and EFTA countries. This figure represents a solid advance of 13.1% compared to June 2025.
The first half results confirm the positive trend: in the first six months of the year, total sales on the continent reached 7,232,066 units, marking an increase of 6.1% compared to the same period last year.
Electrified engines take over, fossil fuels lose ground
The paradigm shift in Europeans' choices is becoming more pronounced. Models with alternative propulsion dominate the top of preferences, while classic internal combustion engines continue their decline.
- Classic Hybrids (HEV) – The undisputed leader: With 488,640 units sold in June (+17.1%) and a total of 2.6 million units in the first half of the year (+12.1%), hybrid cars remain the favorite option, being perceived as the optimal bridge between efficiency and autonomy.
- Explosion in the 100% electric (BEV) segment: Sales of electric cars recorded a spectacular 51% jump in June, reaching 360,843 units. In the first six months of the year, Europeans registered over 1.6 million electric cars (+35.1%), consolidating 2nd place in the overall ranking.
- Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV): In the first month of summer, 146,168 units were sold, up 22.7%.
At the opposite end, cars powered exclusively by gasoline fell by 12.2% in June (294,230 units) and by 16.2% for the entire first half of the year (1.5 million units). The decline is equally visible in the area of ??diesel engines, which totaled only 81,978 units in June (-16.9%).
European Car Sales Breakdown by Fuel / Powertrain Type
| Fuel / Powertrain Type | June Sales | June Evolution (vs. 2025) | H1 Sales | H1 Evolution (vs. 2025) |
| Hybrid (HEV) | 488,640 | +17.1% | ~2,600,000 | +12.1% |
| Battery Electric (BEV) | 360,843 | +51.0% | ~1,600,000 | +35.1% |
| Petrol | 294,230 | -12.2% | ~1,500,000 | -16.2% |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | 146,168 | +22.7% | — | — |
| Diesel | 81,978 | -16.9% | — | — |
Battle of the big auto groups: Volkswagen and Stellantis maintain their positions
The hierarchy of major European automakers remains stable at the top:
- The Volkswagen Group maintains its leading position, reporting 345,937 vehicles sold in June (+6.4%) and a total of 1.8 million cars sold in the first half of the year (+2.1%).
- Stellantis ranks second, recording steady growth both in June (191,012 units, +5.3%) and over the entire half-year (1.09 million units, +5.3%).
- The Renault Group takes third place on the podium, with 147,820 cars sold in June (+4.1%). However, for the entire first half of the year, the French group recorded a moderate decrease of 3.5% (683,137 units).
How did Dacia do? The Dacia brand had a favorable June in Europe, recording 63,424 cars sold (+7%). However, in the first half of the year, the manufacturer reported a total of 281,814 units, down 8.7% compared to the first six months of last year.
What does this data tell us?
Data published by ACEA confirms that the energy transition in the European automotive sector has gained sustained momentum. Demand for electric and hybrid cars continues to grow rapidly, gradually pushing traditional petrol and diesel models towards an increasingly narrow market share.
