Battery-electric car registrations jump 70.3% in key European markets in September
Key Facts
Battery-electric car registrations in 17 key European markets rose 70.3% in September 2026 from the same month a year earlier, Reuters reported. A total of 300,202 cars were registered during the month, according to data from E-Mobility Europe, New AutoMotive and Fair Automotive cited by the agency. These cars accounted for 32.6% of total car registrations in the markets covered, expanding their presence in the new-car market. The increase concerns fully battery-powered cars in those European markets, the category covered by the September figures. Registration growth was accompanied by differences among major markets in the number of electric cars registered and their share of total domestic registrations.
In France, battery-electric cars accounted for 41.7% of new-car registrations in September, according to figures published by Investing.com. The French market registered 65,243 battery-electric cars that month, leading major markets in the category's share of registrations. In Germany, battery-electric car registrations reached 88,724 over the same period. Their share of the German market was 34.6%, according to the same source, compared with a higher share in France. Germany thus registered more battery-electric cars than France, while these cars accounted for a larger share of total new registrations in the French market than in Germany.
The August bulletin from E-Mobility Europe and New AutoMotive had shown annual growth of 54.2% in battery-electric car registrations. Registrations that month reached 202,833 across the 16 key European markets covered by the bulletin. The category accounted for 30.5% of new registrations in the August markets, as battery-powered cars continued to expand their presence. August's coverage was narrower than September's, which included 17 markets, a difference accompanying the comparison between the 2 months' figures. Chris Heron, secretary-general of E-Mobility Europe, said in the August bulletin: "Europe's electric future is now arriving faster than expected." His remarks at the time came against a backdrop of growing electric car registrations in the key European markets tracked by the bulletin.
Reuters attributed continued growth in battery-electric car registrations to higher oil prices, subsidies and the availability of models at prices more affordable for buyers. The agency thus cited energy prices, purchase support and available car choices among the factors supporting European expansion. In Britain, the government's electric car grant scheme provides an example of support available to buyers of eligible cars. The scheme offers a maximum discount of £3,750 for cars classified in band 1, according to the government's programme page. The seller applies the grant directly as a discount on the car's purchase price, according to the British government. Buyers do not need to submit a separate application for the grant, as it is included in the price they pay when purchasing from the seller.
Against the backdrop of September's growth, battery-electric cars had increased their share of the European Union market during January to August 2026. Their market share reached 21.7% over that period, compared with 15.8% in the corresponding period a year earlier, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. A total of 1,641,333 battery-electric cars were registered in EU countries during the first 8 months of the year, the association said. Hybrid-electric cars remained the most popular choice among EU buyers, accounting for 36.6% of registrations over the same period. These shares concern the EU market across January to August, while September's share concerns that month alone and the key European markets covered by its bulletin.
Globally, demand for electric cars fell 2% in September 2026 from the same month a year earlier, Reuters reported, citing Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. That global decline included a 44% year-on-year drop in electric car sales in North America during the month. Reuters attributed the sharp decline in North America to a strong comparison period a year earlier. That period saw a rush to buy electric cars before U.S. tax incentives expired, raising the baseline against which current September sales are compared. Charles Lester, data manager at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, said: "From the final quarter, these comparisons will become easier." He explained that the base period would then shift to the sales downturn that followed the expiry of the incentives, rather than the buying rush before they expired.