Europe’s EV Market Share Reaches 25% in July with Sales Up 51%
In July, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for a significant 25% of new car registrations across Europe, marking a substantial jump from the previous year with sales up by 51%. This growth outpaced the wider market's increase of 4.1%. Chinese manufacturers dominated the plug-in hybrid segment, capturing 34% of sales in this category, which currently falls outside EU countervailing duties.
Electric cars have become a dominant force on European roads, with Dataforce figures revealing that 51% more EVs were registered in July 2026 compared to the same period last year. This surge resulted in a total of 277,006 electric vehicle registrations across the EU, UK, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Two countries, France and Germany, are leading this transition:
- France achieved a remarkable 35% EV share with over 44,000 registrations.
- Germany followed closely with a 29.3% EV market penetration, registering nearly 79,000 electric vehicles.
The top seller in July was the Skoda Elroq, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4 and Renault 5 E-Tech. Despite Tesla's temporary slump, their Model Y remains the year's top registration with over 115,759 units sold, ahead of the Elroq and Model 3.
The plug-in hybrid market, however, presents a different picture. Sales of PHEVs increased by 15% in July, reaching 125,530 units, with Chinese brands leading the way: BYD Seal U (best seller in July), BYD Atto 2, and Jaecoo 7. These manufacturers dominate the year-to-date podium due to a gap in EU countervailing duties on Chinese PHEVs.
This duty loophole is set to close as the European Commission has proposed extending duties to Chinese plug-in hybrids, aiming for rates lower than those applied to battery-electric cars. July represents the final clear snapshot of this discrepancy before the closure of the gap.
Darius Popa, a technology enthusiast and intern at The Next Web, contributes to research-backed content and explores emerging technologies and global events. He is passionate about uncovering the business and narrative aspects of tech trends.