European car registrations steady in October with growing EV mix

European car registrations have shown a continued upward trend in October, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Year-to-date figures for October 2025 indicate a 1.4% increase in EU registrations compared to the same period last year, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. This data serves as a valuable indicator for eeNews Europe readers, highlighting the evolving landscape of engineering priorities shifting towards power electronics, control systems, and charging infrastructure in upcoming automotive platforms.

Electrified powertrains gain traction in the EU

The latest data from ACEA reveals a gradual yet consistent transition towards electrified vehicles in the European market. Battery-electric cars have seen a notable increase, accounting for 16.4% of new registrations in the EU by October, up from 13.2% in the corresponding period of 2024. Hybrid-electric models remain the dominant category, comprising 34.6% of new registrations, while plug-in hybrids have also seen growth, representing 9.1% of the market, up from 7% a year earlier.

The rise in battery-electric vehicle volumes has been particularly supported by increased registrations in countries such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. Hybrid-electric vehicles have also witnessed growth across major markets, with Spain, France, Germany, and Italy showing significant double-digit gains. Additionally, plug-in hybrids have experienced strong increases in countries like Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Collectively, electrified powertrains now constitute over half of all new-car registrations in the EU. This shift has implications for Tier-1 suppliers and semiconductor vendors, signaling a potentially more stable demand for traction inverters, battery management systems, high-efficiency DC-DC stages, and sensing architectures tailored to higher-voltage platforms.

Decline in combustion models

On the other hand, petrol and diesel cars have continued to see a decline in registrations. Petrol car registrations dropped by 18.3% year-on-year in the first ten months of 2025, while diesel registrations decreased by 24.5%, collectively reducing their market share to 36.6%, down from 46.3% the previous year. Major markets, including France, witnessed significant double-digit decreases in petrol sales.

Despite the growth in electrified vehicles, overall volumes remain below pre-pandemic levels. ACEA emphasizes that while battery-electric cars have reached a 16.4% market share year-to-date, further acceleration of electrification may be necessary to align with policy targets. As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) navigate cost reduction strategies and regulatory compliance, the trajectory of powertrain and thermal system development for the 2026–2028 model cycle may increasingly hinge on these registration trends.