EU new-car registrations were up 0.9% by September 2025 year-to-date (YTD), when compared to the same period a year earlier, marking a third straight month of growth, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 16.1% of EU registrations in the year to September 2025, up from 13.1% in the same period of 2024.

Hybrid-electric cars remained the largest powertrain category, taking 34.7% of the market.

Petrol and diesel cars combined fell to a 37% share, down from 46.8% a year earlier. 

In the initial nine months of 2025, 1,300,188 BEVs were registered, equal to a 16.1% share of the EU market.

Among the four biggest markets, which together accounted for 62% of battery-electric registrations, Germany rose 38.3%, Belgium 12.4%, and the Netherlands 3.9%. France edged lower by 0.2%, despite again of 11.2% YoY in September 2025. 

Registrations of hybrid-electric cars reached 2,793,079 units over the same period, equivalent to 34.7% of the market, supported by increases in France (+28.8%), Spain (+28.1%), Germany (+10.6%), and Italy (+9.2%).

Plug-in hybrid-electric cars totalled 722,914 registrations, lifted by Spain (+105.2%), Germany (+63.9%), and Italy (+72.6%). Their market share rose to 9%, from 6.9% a year ago.

Last month, YoY BEV registrations rose 20% and hybrids 15.9% while plug-in hybrids reported its seventh consecutive month of strong growth continuously with an increase of 65.4%.

By September end, in the petrol and diesel cars segment, petrol registrations were down 18.7% across the EU.

The largest declines among major markets were in France (-32.8%), Germany (-23.5%), Italy (-16.6%), and Spain (-13.2%).

Petrol’s share stood at 27.7% with 2,234,058 units registered, compared to 34.4% a year earlier.

Diesel volumes fell 24.7%, bringing diesel’s share to 9.3% YTD. In September alone, petrol declined 7.8% year-on-year and diesel 14.3%.

Th association stated: “This recent momentum has been somewhat driven by the launch of new models, with September alone posting a strong 10% increase.” 

Earlier this month, ACEA responded to criticism of its stance on the EU’s forthcoming car CO₂ regulation review, saying its call for adjustments reflects “market realities, not a retreat from ambition”.