European EV sales hit record in 'pivotal' year for affordable cars, study shows

European Electric Vehicle Sales Reach Record Highs in 2026 Amid Shift to Affordable Models

Record Growth and Market Dynamics in European EV Sales

BERLIN, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Europe's uptake of electric vehicles is gaining momentum, with record sales so far this year driven by a slew of affordable models coming onto the market to bring carmakers in line with EU targets, according to a study.

Surge in Sales and Market Share

• EV sales across the EU reached record volumes in 2026, with 1.64 million sold in the January-to-August period, up 45% year-on-year, Brussels-based environmental advocacy group Transport & Environment found in its EV progress report published on Monday.

• EVs made up 22% of the market during this period, six points higher than the same period last year, according to the report.

Expansion of Model Choices

• T&E called 2026 "a pivotal year for EV availability", with model choice up 50% in a single year as carmakers expand their line-ups to meet EU emissions targets.

Affordable Models and Compliance

• The report comes as carmakers like Volkswagen roll out a number of affordable EVs, such as the all-electric Polo, helping the German auto group to close its existing compliance gap and avoid fines.

Competition Among Carmakers

• European carmakers dominated the EV offering with nearly 60% of available models, adding 16 in the first half of 2026. Chinese carmakers held 21% and added 11 models.

Impact of Fuel Prices on Market Trends

Rising Fuel Costs

• The study also noted the impact of rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict on drivers of combustion-engine cars. Diesel has risen the most, up 38% since the Iran war began, with a 50-litre tank now costing €30 ($34) more, it said.

($1 = €0.8890)

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Rachel More, editing by Thomas Seythal)