What happened
The EU sold 1.64 million electric vehicles between January and August 2026, up 45% versus 2025, with EVs reaching 22% market share and 28% in August.
Why it matters
Buyers face a wider choice than ever and lower running costs as diesel prices have climbed 38% since fighting in Iran began.
Remember this
2026 is the year affordable EVs finally arrive in Europe.
What to watch next
T&E flags Q4 2026 as make-or-break as European makers push to close their remaining CO2 compliance gap.
More context & who is affected
The EU sold 1.64 million electric vehicles in the first eight months of 2026, up 45% over 2025. EVs reached 22% market share, climbing to 28% in August.
Roughly 60 new electric models should reach the market by year-end, four times the 2021-2025 average. Sub-€25,000 EVs are tracking for seven times more sales than in 2024.
Diesel prices have climbed 38% since fighting in Iran, pushing drivers to consider switching. Makers have closed three-quarters of their 2025-2027 CO2 compliance gap, per T&E.
- EVs sold EU Jan-Aug 2026
- 1.64 million Up 45% versus 2025; 22% market share; 28% in August alone.Transport & EnvironmentReuters
- Sub-€25k EV sales vs 2024
- 7x EVs priced under €25,000 tracking seven times the sales volume of 2024.Transport & Environment
- New EV models in 2026
- 60 Roughly four times the 2021-2025 average of about 15 new models a year.Transport & Environment
General Public
Sub-€25k EVs tracking seven times 2024 volume, bringing electric cars within reach of more European buyers.
General Public
Diesel is up 38% since fighting in Iran; a 50-litre tank costs €30 more, while EV owners saved around €350 by mid-September.
Business Executives
Makers cleared three-quarters of their 2025-2027 CO2 gap, but T&E warns Q4 2026 is still make-or-break.
Reporting fromReuters ↗Transport & Environment ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- ReutersReporting
European EV sales hit record in 'pivotal' year for affordable cars, study shows ↗
Published Oct 5, 2026 · Accessed Oct 5, 2026 - Transport & EnvironmentResearch
EV progress report: 'Don't stop me now', the EV transition is delivering ↗
Published Oct 5, 2026 · Accessed Oct 5, 2026
Claims and linked sources
The EU sold 1.64 million electric vehicles between January and August 2026, up 45% versus 2025.
EVs reached 22% market share in the EU for Jan-Aug 2026, rising to 28% in August alone.
Electric vehicles priced under €25,000 are tracking for seven times the sales of 2024.
Roughly 60 new electric models should reach the market by year-end, four times the 2021-2025 average.
