With 158,000 vehicles sold, electric cars passed from 10.7% to 15.1% of the market share in a year. Sales shot up above all in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.

This increase was mainly brought about by Tesla, who reduced their prices. One in every five electric vehicles in Europe in the 1st half of the year belongs to the Musk brand.

The sale of hybrid cars also had a strong impulse, now representing 24.3% of the market, boosted by sales in Germany, France and Italy. Rechargeable hybrids (the hybrids you can plug in and charge), however, had their sales drop this year, only achieving 7.9% of the market share.

Petrol continues to be the main energy source for cars sold in the EU, making up 36.3% of sales in June, an increase of 11%.

All in all, new car sales recovered in Europe in the 1st semester of the year, with an increase of 17.9% in 12 months. Nevertheless, despite 5.4 million cars sold, the market is still 21% smaller compared to the 1st semester of 2019, the last year on the records to be before the pandemic.

“The evolution in recent months shows that the European auto industry is recovering from the logistical problems caused by the pandemic,” ACEA highlighted in their statement.

The European vehicle market has grown again sustainably since August 2022, when the COVID-19 crisis combined with parts shortages, including crucial electronic components, shook it up.