08:07 19-12-2025

EVs and plug-in hybrids power Europe’s October car market growth

Europe’s new-car market added 4.8% in October, and the pattern is hard to miss: growth came from battery-electric models and plug-in hybrids. According to Jato Dynamics data reviewed by Tarantas News, 28 markets together recorded 1,088,275 new passenger registrations, with pure EVs up 33% to 224,351 units, already accounting for 20.6% of the market.

Plug-in hybrids advanced even faster—up 41% to 117,240 registrations for a 10.8% slice. In contrast, combustion-engine cars slipped to 348,794 units, a 17% decline that leaves them at 32.1%. Momentum is clearly shifting toward charge ports rather than fuel pumps.

October’s headline belonged to the Skoda Elroq, which became Europe’s most popular EV for the month with 11,441 new registrations. The Renault 5 followed with 9,539. Year to date, the leader among pure EVs is unchanged: Tesla Model Y remains in front with about 115,000 registrations, while the Elroq has already approached 71,000—an impressively brisk cadence for a model that reached the market in spring 2025. The figures hint at a formula that resonates with buyers and a rollout that found its rhythm early.

BYD stands out on its own: the Chinese brand posted the most notable year-on-year market share gain, up to 1.3%, supported by roughly 102,000 additional registrations. It still sits outside the overall top 10 by brand, yet the trajectory is one established players will be watching closely.