Sales of Fully Electric Cars Surpassed Petrol Vehicles in the EU for ‌the First Time

Sales of fully electric cars outpaced petrol vehicles in the European Union for the first time in December, industry data showed, marking a milestone even as policymakers move to ease emissions rules. Reuters reported the news on January 27, 2026.

Registrations of battery-electric vehicles, a proxy for sales, also exceeded those of petrol cars across the wider European market, including Britain and Norway, as overall car sales on the continent posted a sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

Competition from Chinese automakers such as BYD, Changan and Geely is intensifying the battle for market share in Europe, while established brands including Volkswagen and BMW accelerate the rollout of new electric models. The EU in December proposed scrapping an effective 2035 ban on combustion-engine cars, yielding to pressure from carmakers grappling with Chinese competition, U.S. import tariffs and challenges around EV profitability.

Despite the policy shift, analysts expect electric vehicles to continue gaining ground. Chris Heron, secretary general of E-Mobility Europe, said European manufacturers are adapting by launching more affordable EVs, supported by fresh incentive schemes in several countries. “We’re seeing real consumer buy-in,” Heron said. “We’re confident sales across Europe will keep growing in 2026.”

In December, registrations for Volkswagen and Stellantis rose 10.2% and 4.5% respectively across Europe, Britain and the European Free Trade Association, while Renault’s fell 2.2%. Tesla registrations dropped 20.2%, contrasting sharply with a 229.7% surge for BYD.

Total car sales in the EU, Britain and EFTA climbed 7.6% in December to 1.2 million vehicles, and rose 2.4% in 2025 to 13.3 million, the highest level in five years, though still below pre-pandemic volumes. Within the EU alone, sales increased 5.8% in December to nearly one million cars and 1.8% for the full year to 10.8 million.

December registrations of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles jumped 51%, 36.7% and 5.8% respectively, together accounting for 67% of EU registrations. Independent analyst Matthias Schmidt noted that some of the decline in petrol sales reflects the reclassification of vehicles as mild hybrids, which deliver only limited emissions reductions. “It will still take around five years before pure EVs truly overtake combustion-engine cars across the region,” he said, “but this is an important first step.”

EVinfo.net’s Take: Kudos to the EU, America is Foolish

The European Union crossed a historic threshold in December when electric vehicle sales surpassed petrol car sales for the first time. That milestone is more than a symbolic win for climate policy. It signals that EVs have reached genuine market maturity, driven by sustained investment, clear regulatory signals, and a growing lineup of affordable models. Europe’s experience shows what happens when policy consistency aligns with industrial strategy: consumers respond, manufacturers innovate, and markets move.

The contrast with the United States could not be sharper. The foolish decision to scale back the federal EV tax credit, combined with foolish proposals to weaken vehicle emissions standards, represents a serious strategic misstep. These rollbacks do not just slow climate progress. They undermine core U.S. economic and national security interests at a moment when global competition in clean transportation is accelerating.

From an economic standpoint, the timing is especially troubling. The US December jobs report confirmed that 2025 was the weakest year for hiring since 2020. Clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing have been among the few sectors delivering consistent job growth, attracting billions in private investment and supporting domestic supply chains. Pulling incentives and loosening standards injects uncertainty into the market, discouraging investment and putting American jobs at risk, particularly in manufacturing regions that have begun to benefit from EV and battery projects.

National security is also at stake. Transportation remains one of the largest sources of U.S. oil consumption, much of it tied to volatile global markets. Slowing EV adoption locks in continued dependence on oil, exposing the economy to price shocks and geopolitical risk. Europe’s progress underscores how electrification can reduce that vulnerability over time. The United States is moving in the opposite direction.

Lower emissions standards will also carry direct costs for consumers. Weaker rules allow automakers to sell less efficient vehicles, increasing fuel consumption and raising long-term driving costs. At the same time, reduced support for EVs makes it harder for households to switch to vehicles that are cheaper to operate and maintain. The result is a policy mix that raises expenses for drivers while limiting cleaner, more economical choices.

The environmental and public health consequences are equally clear. Rolling back emissions standards will increase pollution that harms the climate and human health, particularly in communities already burdened by poor air quality. Transportation-related emissions contribute to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and premature deaths. These are not abstract costs; they show up in higher healthcare spending and reduced quality of life.

Europe’s EV milestone demonstrates that progress is possible when governments commit to long-term goals and provide stable policy support. The United States still has the industrial capacity, technological leadership, and workforce to compete. But retreating from EV incentives and emissions standards risks ceding that leadership, weakening the economy, and leaving Americans with dirtier air, higher costs, and fewer jobs. The lesson from Europe is straightforward: moving forward pays off. Backing away does not.

Backing away from EVs and renewable energy could not be more foolish. We must start voting better. Our current federal leaders are not leaders.