February saw a notable uptick in European car sales, marking a 10.1% growth compared to the same period last year. Among the standout performers, France led the charge with a substantial 13% increase, followed closely by Italy at 12.8%, Spain at 9.9%, and Germany at 5.4%. This surge in sales was largely propelled by the rising demand for hybrid-electric vehicles.
While electric cars dominated January’s market growth, February saw hybrid-electric cars taking the lead, experiencing a robust 24.2% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this shift, petrol cars continue to hold the lion’s share of the market at 35.7%. However, hybrid-electric vehicles are gaining ground with a market share of 28.9%, followed by battery electric cars at 13.2%.
Interestingly, sales of new diesel cars experienced a decline of 5.1% over the year, indicative of changing consumer preferences. Yet, challenges persist for electric vehicles, with sales declining in several European countries due to factors such as limited charging infrastructure and varying government incentives. This dynamic landscape underscores the evolving nature of the European automotive market towards greener and more sustainable alternatives.