A new analysis from TechGaged Research reveals that combustion engines have officially become a minority in the European Union, marking a decisive and historic shift in the region’s automotive landscape. According to TechGaged’s research, petrol and diesel models accounted for just 36.6% of all new vehicles registered across the EU this year, signaling the rapid rise of electrified mobility.
According to the findings, electrified vehicles—hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully battery-electric cars—now represent more than 60% of all new EU registrations year-to-date. Hybrids dominated with 34.6%, battery-electric vehicles reached 16.4%, and plug-in hybrids climbed to 9.1%, reflecting the fastest structural transformation the region’s automotive sector has ever experienced.
“Europe has now crossed the point of no return. Combustion engines aren’t just declining—they’ve been dethroned. Electrified powertrains are the new mainstream, and the momentum behind them is accelerating faster than most people realize,” said Rokas B., TechGaged’s senior industry analyst. “This isn’t a future scenario. It’s happening right now, and it’s reshaping the entire automotive value chain—from manufacturing to infrastructure to consumer expectations.”
Hybrid models are now the most common powertrain in the EU
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% of all units registered. Diesel continued its steep decline, dropping to 9.2%.
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% 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%, 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%, 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.
Full research breakdown and analysis can be found at: https://www.techgaged.com/combustion-engines-are-now-officially-a-minority-in-the-eu/
