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Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have endured a tough start to 2026. Sales of new models fell year on year in January, February, March and April. But how have individual models fared?

As new electric-vehicle (EV) sales continued to climb in Europe, two models have taken an early lead. But just how close is the competition? Tom Hooker, Autovista 24 journalist, reviews the figures. Europe’s new EV market managed a 21.4% year-on-year growth in February. A total of 289,194 models were delivered in the month, according to EV Volumes. This was just 198 units more than in January. Over the first two months of 2026, EV sales increased by 20%, with 578,190 sales. However, splitting the EV market into its two respective powertrains reveals unequal growth. While plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) saw greater improvements, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to record significantly higher volumes. PHEVs posted a 34.8% year-on-year increase to 97,104 units in February. This contrasted significantly with 12 months prior, when deliveries dropped by 1.4%. From January to February, new PHEV sales rose by 33.7% to 198,006 units. However, this sales figure was still 182,178 deliveries behind BEVs for the first two months of 2026. In this period, all-electric models enjoyed a smaller double-digit increase of 14% to 380,184 units. February alone saw a 15.6% year-on-year rise to 192,090 sales. Tesla tops BEV market in Europe The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling BEV in Europe in February and the cumulative figures. It was also the continent’s best-selling EV, with over double the volume of Europe’s most popular PHEV in February. The crossover recorded 10,717 sales in February, outpacing the market’s growth with a 21.6% year-on-year improvement. This translated to a 5.6% share of Europe’s BEV market, up 0.3 percentage points (pp) from February 2025. Between January and February, its market share was 1pp lower. Yet it still led the BEV best-sellers table, thanks to 17,544 deliveries. Just 635 units behind was the Skoda Elroq, which managed 16,909 sales, and a 4.4% share. In February, the SUV recorded 8,560 sales, trailing the Tesla Model Y by 2,157 units. However, the Elroq still enjoyed a 462% year-on-year increase in deliveries. The Skoda Enyaq followed in third, a further 2,134 units behind its sibling. The BEV posted a 17.2% year-on-year increase in February to 6,426 deliveries. After two months of 2026, it sat fourth in the cumulative figures. Meanwhile, fourth in February went to the Tesla Model 3. On the surface, this seemed like a poor result, with a 7.8% drop in deliveries to 6,329 units. However, it marked a significant recovery from January. The sedan’s 1,105-unit total in the month marked its lowest sales figure since July 2022. Combined, the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 finished fifth in February. Yet the hatchbacks suffered a 0.5% dip in volumes to 6,265 units. After the first two months of 2026, the duo sat third in the best-sellers table with a 3.8% market share. Leapmotor’s record result The Leapmotor T03 provided a surprise in February. The city car achieved a record monthly sales total of 6,111 units, taking sixth in the best-sellers table. This ensured a 655.4% year-on year jump in deliveries. Across January and February, the model recorded 8,080 deliveries, making it the eighth most popular all-electric model in the period. Behind the A-segment model were four more familiar faces in Europe’s all-electric market. The Volkswagen (VW) ID.4 claimed seventh in February, with 5,159 deliveries. However, this equated to a 15% drop on 12 months prior. The BEV sat sixth in the cumulative table between January and February. Eighth in February’s standings went to the VW ID.3. The hatchback suffered a 10% fall to 4,860 sales, bringing its total volume in 2026 to 10,336 units. This was enough for fifth in the year-to-date best-sellers table. The VW ID.7 was ninth in February, after a steeper 24.2% year-on-year drop to 4,093 sales. This left it seventh in the cumulative chart. Rounding out February’s top 10 was the Audi Q4 e-tron, with its 3,914-unit total down 21.9%. The SUV was also the 10th best-selling BEV after two months of 2026. This meant that alongside the top three best-selling models, only the Leapmotor T03 managed year-on-year growth in February. BYD dominates PHEV market in Europe Two months into 2026, the BYD Seal U led Europe’s new PHEV market. The SUV was comfortably out ahead with a 5.2% market share thanks to 5,029 sales. This translated to a 130.9% improvement year on year. The BYD Seal U’s dominance proved even more profound in the cumulative standings. It took a 5.9% share of all PHEV deliveries between January and February, with 11,732 deliveries. This was 4,197 units ahead of the VW Tiguan, which took second after two months of 2026. Out of the models’ 7,535 sales so far this year, 4,007 were recorded in February alone. This ensured 10.1% growth year on year. It also placed second in the monthly chart. Volvo and Ford suffer declines The Volvo XC60 took third in February, with a 10.9% decline to 3,594 deliveries. The SUV also claimed third in the cumulative table, with 7,244 units. Fourth in February went to the Ford Kuga, which also suffered a delivery drop. It saw a 11.9% fall to 3,160 sales, punching above its standing in the year-to-date table of sixth. The Mercedes-Benz GLC finished fifth in February, thanks to a 78.9% year-on-year surge to 3,059 sales. The PHEV also took fifth in the cumulative chart. Next were two BMW models: the X3 and X1. The former secured sixth with a 48.9% rise to 2,827 deliveries. Meanwhile, the BMW X1 posted a smaller increase of 6.4% to 2,786 sales, enough for seventh in the best-sellers table. The X1 took ninth in the cumulative standings, while the X3 slotted into seventh. Contrasting performances for Chinese models The Jaecoo J7 took eighth in February’s chart. Volumes soared by 447% year on year to 2,779 sales, taking a 2.9% share of the market. The PHEV sat fourth after two months of 2026, with 7,075 deliveries. Toyota’s C-HR took ninth in February, despite a 21.7% year-on-year drop to 2,373 sales. The SUV placed eighth in the cumulative table. BYD placed two PHEVs in the European monthly top 10. This was thanks to the BYD Atto 2’s surging performance, which allowed the brand to bookend the table. The model first recorded European sales in October 2025, with a previous best of 85 units in January.

How have Europe’s big-five new-car markets fared in the first quarter of 2026? Which country led the way? How are the different powertrain types performing? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry explores the results in the Automotive Update podcast. In this episode, Autovista24 reviews the performances of Europe’s ‘big-five’ new-car markets. Spanning Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain, which countries saw registration improvements, and which ones faced declines? Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. Mixed quarter for German new-car market Germany’s new-car market, the biggest in Europe, had a mixed first quarter. Deliveries improved by 5.2%, according to the KBA. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) recorded significant year-on-year growth from January to March, accounting for 22.8% of overall registrations. This was higher than petrol’s market share. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) posted a 19.3% rise compared to the first quarter of 2025. Hybrid volumes, including mild and full versions, took a dominant 29.9% market share. Meanwhile, petrol and diesel volumes dropped year on year between January and March. UK new-car market growth In the UK, registrations increased by 5.9% year on year in the first quarter, according to the SMMT. BEV registrations in the country grew by 14.5% year on year between January and March. The technology made up 22.4% of all volumes. PHEVs enjoyed a surge in sales, while full hybrids recorded modest growth. Petrol deliveries, including mild hybrid sales, fell by 3.5% but still held a dominant market share in the first quarter. Diesel saw a 9.8% fall in volumes year on year. BEVs provide hope in France France’s new-car market was down by 2.1% between January and March, according to AAA Data. BEVs enjoyed a 50.4% delivery increase in the first quarter. BEVs held a 27.9% market share between January and March, the highest out of Europe’s big five new-car markets. Hybrid registrations, including full and mild versions, achieved a dominant 47.3% market share. Conversely, PHEVs recorded eight fewer registrations in the first quarter of 2026. Petrol suffered a 40.3% year-on-year delivery decline between January and March. In a similar vein, diesel volumes dropped by 44.5%. Italy’s new-car market shows strength Italy’s new-car market recorded a 9.2% year-on-year improvement in the first quarter, according to ANFIA. It was the best-performing market, in terms of growth, in the European big five. Plug-in hybrids were the country’s best-performing powertrain in terms of percentage growth. Volumes rose by 110.1% between January and March compared to the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, BEV achieved a 65.7% increase year on year. Hybrids continued to dominate the market. They made up over half of deliveries in the first quarter, according to Autovista24 calculations. Petrol volumes fell by 18.6% year on year. Diesel registrations plummeted 23.6% between January and March. PHEV volumes soar in Spain In Spain, new-car registrations climbed by 7.6% in the first quarter, according to ANFAC. PHEVs were the standout performer in the country. Deliveries soared 74% compared to the first quarter of 2025, based on Autovista24 analysis. The technology proved more popular than BEVs. Volumes of all-electric models improved by 41.6%. Hybrids, including full and mild versions, led the market. The technology took a 48% share between January and March, with deliveries increasing by 18.6% year on year. On the other hand, petrol and diesel registrations fell in the first quarter.

The new-car market in Italy remains on a high, as March ended the first quarter with another positive performance. But does split authority-decision making jeopardise the country’s electric vehicle (EV) market? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the figures. Following a difficult 2025, Italy’s new-car market has seen a strong first quarter of 2026. The period was rounded off by a 7.6% year-on-year increase in volumes during March. This is according to the latest data from industry body ANFIA. In total, 185,257 passenger cars were registered in the month. As March is traditionally a high-volume period for new-car deliveries in Italy, growth is important. The figures were the best for the third month of the year since 2019. An extra 13,028 units took to Italy’s roads compared with March 2025, according to Autovista24 calculations. In the first quarter, 484,577 new cars made their way to customers in Italy, an increase of 9.2%. Following a rollercoaster 2025, the strong start to this year will be encouraging for carmakers in the country. Italy embraces the BEV Italy’s new-car market was driven by EV registrations. Without deliveries of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), registrations would have fallen by 1.1% in March. BEVs registrations improved by 72.1% last month, with 16,121 units delivered. This equated to an additional 6,754 units compared to one year ago. The increase helped the powertrain overtake PHEVs in terms of volume and share for the first time this year. By the end of the month, BEVs held an 8.7% share of total registrations, an increase of 3.3 percentage points (pp). After three months of 2026, the BEV market was up 65.7% compared to the first quarter of 2025. In total, 38,084 units were delivered, translating to a market share of 7.9%, up 2.7pp year on year. The BEV market in Italy struggled in previous years. While numbers rose, their share of registrations was low. Although the current hold of the overall market is below that of Germany, the UK and France, it has expanded rapidly in 2026. Italy’s BEV performance this year also matches Spain’s surge in 2025. It was another country that held a low all-electric share compared to other major European new-car markets before volumes improved. Surging BEV volumes in Italy can be partially attributed to the implementation of incentives in the country. All the subsidies were claimed for within a day of their announcement. However, industry body UNRAE highlighted what it sees as issues with the scheme. Struggles ahead for EVs? ‘Urgent action is needed on the issue of incentives: the dealer network has advanced these funds out of its own pocket, exposing itself to liabilities running into millions of euros and incurring significant financial costs,’ commented Roberto Pietrantonio, president of UNRAE. ‘It is therefore essential to guarantee certain and rapid payment times, prioritising correctly processed applications, in order to safeguard the stability of the supply chain and strengthen the credibility of public measures,’ he continued. There may be other obstacles in the path of electrification. From 1 July, BEVs and hydrogen vehicles will need to pay an annual charge to enter Rome’s congestion-control zone. While the cost of €1,000 is around half that for internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, it still represents an additional cost for drivers. ‘This measure is difficult to comprehend in a country where the proportion of electric cars is still significantly lower than in the main European markets, where any revisions to incentives have only been made in the face of much higher levels of adoption,’ highlighted Pietrantonio. The fear is that localised interventions without wider government alignment, risk creating uncertainty for buyers. Fragmented measures, such as congestion charging, could end up slowing the transition to cleaner mobility, Pietrantonio warned. PHEVs remain popular While BEVs saw higher volumes than PHEVs, the latter experienced greater growth in March. With 15,805 deliveries, numbers were up by 100.7%. Market share also jumped, by 3.9pp, to 8.5% in the month. Within the first quarter of the year, PHEVs recorded a rise of 110.1%. With triple-digit growth in each month of the year so far, this amounts to 40,052 units, an improvement of 20,990 deliveries. The powertrain remained ahead of BEVs in the cumulative chart, with a share of 8.3%. This is a rise from the 4.3% PHEVs recorded during the first three months of 2025. UNRAE attributes this popularity to an increase in models being offered and corporate fringe benefits. The technology is forging ahead and helping to establish EVs in the marketplace. Combining BEV and PHEV registrations, EVs saw 31,926 deliveries in March, a rise of 85.2%, according to Autovista24 calculations. This gave the powertrain group a 17.2% market share, up by 7.2pp year on year. In the first quarter, 78,136 EV models made their way to customers, an increase of 85.8%. This equated to a 16.1% market share, up by 6.6pp compared to the first three months of 2025. Italy’s hybrid domination continues Hybrids, made up of full and mild versions, were the leading technology in Italy’s new-car market during March. As buyers and carmakers alike move away from petrol and diesel, they are increasingly turning to hybrid models. In the month, 93,241 units were delivered, a rise of 20.2%. According to Autovista24 calculations, this was an improvement of 15,674 units, 1,748 models more than the combined loss of ICE units. This meant that hybrids dominated the market in the month. The powertrain group secured 50.3% of total registrations, up by 5.3pp compared to the same period last year. The powertrain also dominated in the first quarter of 2026. With 249,430 units delivered, it was the only technology to break into six-digit figures. It ended the three-month period with a 51.5% market share, up 6.8pp. Its nearest challenger, petrol, was 31.7pp behind. Adding hybrids to EV registrations, the electrified powertrain group was dominant in March. Electrified models took a 67.6% share of all deliveries, up 12.6pp year on year. In total, 125,167 units took to Italian roads, a 32% rise. Between January and March, the electrified sector held a similar 67.6% share of the market. This was a 13.5pp rise, with volumes reaching 327,566 units. Diesel plunge continues in Italy Petrol and diesel powertrains continued their downward trend in Italy. The powertrain group suffered a combined drop of 21.7%, as 50,203 units were registered in the month. The ICE market was responsible for 27.1% of the country’s total, a drop of 10.1pp compared to March 2025. Diesel cars have proven more popular in Italy than in the other big five European markets. But with 12,747 registrations in March, their volumes fell 29.6% year on year. The powertrain held a 6.9% share, down 3.6pp on 12 months prior. Meanwhile, petrol registrations fell by 18.6%. The fuel type remained the second-biggest seller in Italy during the month. However, its 37,456-unit total was only good enough for a 20.2% market share. This was a fall of 6.5pp year on year. In the first quarter of 2026, ICE deliveries fell by 19.9%, with just 130,135 registrations. The group held 26.9% of the market, down 9.7pp. Broken down, diesel managed 34,089 deliveries, equating to a 23.6% decline. This gave the powertrain a 7% market share, down 3.1pp year on year. Petrol recorded 96,046 registrations in the three-month period, an 18.6% drop. This was good enough for a 19.8% hold of the country’s total, falling 6.8pp compared to the first quarter of 2025. Stellantis dominates the market According to ANFIA figures, Stellantis and the Renault-Nissan Alliance led the country’s new-car market in March. Stellantis celebrated the success of the Fiat Panda in its home market. It saw 11,117 registrations, more than double the Jeep Avenger in second. The model managed 5,085 deliveries and ended March just 63 units ahead of the Leapmotor T03 in third. The Fiat Grande Panda took fourth, while the Citroen C3 was sixth. Between the two sat the Dacia Sandero in fifth, leading a slew of models from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. In seventh was the Renault Clio, with the Nissan Qashqai following, and the Dacia Duster taking ninth. Rounding out the top 10 was the Toyota Aygo X. The result means the Fiat Panda extended its lead after the first quarter, with 37,010 registrations. The Jeep Avenger was the second-best-selling model in Italy, with 15,808 deliveries. Third was the Fiat Grande Panda, with 13,180 units.