Major boom in electric car sales: Surpassed gasoline for the first time

A turning point has been reached in the European automotive sector. In December, sales of fully electric cars across the European Union were recorded above those of gasoline-powered cars. This development has drawn attention as debates regarding emission standards continue on the continent.

According to the shared statistics, the share of alternative-fuel vehicles in total sales reached a record level of 67 percent, driven not only by electric models but also by plug-in hybrids and hybrid models. Activity in the electric vehicle market was notable: while Tesla's market share declined, the Chinese company BYD achieved a record increase in sales, and Europe's largest manufacturer, Volkswagen, continued its growth.

In the final month of the year, total car sales in the EU, the United Kingdom, and the European Free Trade Association countries saw a 7.6 percent increase, with approximately 1.2 million vehicles sold. For the full year 2025, total sales rose by 2.4 percent, reaching 13.3 million units.

When examined by brand, Volkswagen's sales increased by 10.2 percent in December, while Stellantis saw a 4.5 percent rise. Renault, however, drew attention with a 2.2 percent decline. While Tesla's sales fell by 20.2 percent, BYD demonstrated a strong surge, increasing its sales by 229.7 percent.

Total car sales across the EU increased by 5.8 percent in December to approximately 1 million, while for the entire year of 2025, they reached 10.8 million units with an increase of 1.8 percent.