New car registrations in the European Union (EU) fell by 1.2% year-to-date (YTD) in April 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

However, last month showed a modest year-on-year (YOY) increase of 1.3%, indicating a potential recovery amid an unpredictable global economic environment.

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 15.3% of the EU market share in April 2025 YTD, up from 12% in April 2024 YTD.

Sales of BEVs grew by 26.4%, reaching 558,262 units. Significant growth was recorded in Germany (42.8%), Belgium (31.3%), and the Netherlands (6.4%), though France saw a 4.4% decline.

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) remained the most popular power type, capturing 35.3% of the market with 1,285,486 units registered, a 20.8% increase YTD.

The report adds that growth was driven by strong performances in France (44.9%), Spain (35.8%), Italy (15%), and Germany (11%).

Plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle registrations rose by 7.8% YTD, totalling 287,850 units and representing 7.9% of the market, up from 7.2% in April 2024 YTD.

Key markets such as Germany (46.6%) and Spain (42.8%) led the increase.

In April 2025 YOY figures, BEVs saw a 34.1% rise, HEVs increased by 20.8%, and plug-in-hybrid electric vehicles grew by 31.2%.

Petrol car registrations dropped by 20.6% YTD, with 1,041,176 units registered, reducing their market share to 28.6% from 35.6% in April 2024 YTD.

France saw the largest decline at 35.2%, followed by Germany (26.6%), Italy (14.4%), and Spain (12.7%).

Diesel car registrations fell by 26.4%, resulting in a 9.6% market share. The April 2025 YOY variation also showed declines of 20.6% for petrol and 24.4% for diesel, with double-digit drops across most EU markets.

The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 38.2% in April 2025 YTD, down from 48.4% in the same period last year, reflecting a continued shift towards electrified vehicles.