Key facts
- Total European car sales rose 10.2% in September.
- Battery electric vehicle sales surged 60% in September.
- Gasoline car sales fell 20.6% in September.
- Diesel car sales plunged 28.2% in September.
- BYD sales in the EU more than doubled in September and year-to-date.
Record-high gasoline and diesel prices across Europe are driving a significant increase in electric and hybrid vehicle sales, while demand for conventional cars continues to decline. Total car sales in Europe, including the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, increased by 10.2% in September compared to the previous year, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales saw a substantial jump of 60% in September, while plug-in hybrid sales rose by 24% and hybrid electric vehicle sales increased by 5.3%. In stark contrast, sales of gasoline cars plummeted by 20.6% and diesel car sales plunged by 28.2% over the same period.
Year-to-date through September, this trend has continued, with gasoline and diesel car sales falling by nearly 20% each. France experienced the sharpest decline in gasoline sales, with volumes dropping by 36.1%, while Germany, Spain, and Italy also posted double-digit losses. The market share for gasoline cars in the EU has fallen to 21.2% from 27.7% last year, and diesel's share is down to 7.1% from 9.3%. Chinese manufacturers, including BYD, Chery, Jaecoo, Jetour, and Omoda, have seen significant sales growth in the EU, with BYD more than doubling its sales in September and year-to-date.