More than 1.2 million new battery electric vehicles (BEV) were registered in the first half of 2026 across Europe, according to figures by New AutoMotive, Fier Automotive and E-Mobility Europe.
Monthly registrations climbed 39.5% in June compared to the same month in 2025, with a total of 275,060 new BEVs registered.
The number represents a 25.6% market share across 17 key markets and an estimated 27.4% market share EU-wide.
Multiple countries hit historic levels in both total number of BEVs registered and share of new registrations. France led the large markets with 29.6% market share and 55,851 registrations, with Spain rising to an 11.3% share (14,559 BEVs). Slovenia had a 25.3% share (1,694 BEVs), and Czechia reached 8.1% (2,140 BEVs).
Several countries achieved their largest single-month registration volumes, including Belgium (17,280), Denmark (16,996), Portugal (7,632), and Finland (3,632).
Growth has been particularly high in Southern and Central Europe with Italy remaining Europe’s fastest-growing market, where BEV sales effectively doubling (97.9%). France maintained a 61.3% expansion over the half-year, while Germany grew by 48.6% and Spain rose by 31.0%.
Europe’s leading markets are now outpacing China in terms of domestic market share density, which, despite the latter’s 42.8% BEV market share, five European nations beat this benchmark in June: Norway (96.5%), Denmark (79.1%), Ireland (51.2%), Finland (48.9%) and The Netherlands (43.5%).
China’s domestic BEV registrations grew by 6% in June, but Europe’s key markets expanded by nearly 40% year-on-year.
Ben Nelmes, CEO, New AutoMotive, said:
“These figures put to bed any lingering doubt about the direction of travel. Europe isn’t just keeping pace with the electric transition; it’s now setting the pace globally, outstripping China’s own market share growth in June. Governments and industry now need to make sure the charging infrastructure and market conditions are in place to sustain this momentum through the rest of the year.”
Chris Heron, CEO, E-Mobility Europe, said:
“June rewrote the record books for the EU’s EV market. From Denmark to Spain, and from France to Czechia, countries across Europe are reaching new heights in electric vehicle adoption. Better policies, better EVs, and sustained concern over oil dependence are all converging. These results should give policymakers the confidence to finalise clear rules for securing the next phase of the transition”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO, Octopus Electric Vehicles:
“These figures show the electric transition is moving from early adoption into the mainstream. As volumes rise across Europe, the benefits feed directly through to drivers in the form of better choice, more competitive pricing and stronger used vehicle markets. The countries seeing the fastest growth aren’t succeeding by accident. They’re creating the confidence that encourages consumers to make the switch, and that’s exactly how you build a self-sustaining market.”
Image courtesy of Fier Automotive/E-Mobility Europe/New Automotive
