European New-Car Sales Shift Gears: January 2026 Sees PHEVs Surge as Petrol and Diesel Decline
In January 2026, European new-car registrations saw a 3.6% year-over-year decline, with sales figures showing a swing towards plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which surged nearly 32%, almost equaling diesel volumes. Meanwhile, the market share for petrol and diesel vehicles took a sharp nosedive. Despite a dip overall, Chinese brands, notably BYD and Leapmotor, made significant gains, while traditional manufacturers like Volkswagen and Tesla struggled with declines. As the EU edges closer to the 2030 ICE phase-out, this shift underscores the ongoing transition from internal combustion engines to electrified powertrains, even as economic and policy challenges loom.
Feb 23