Europe’s EV sales surge just hit 51% – and oil is the reason why
By Michelle Lewis
Published on April 20, 2026.
Europe's battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations surged by 51% in March 2026 across 14 key EU and EU Free Trade Association (EFTA) markets, according to data from New Automotive and E-Mobility Europe. Over 224,000 new EVs were registered in March alone, accounting for 22% of all new car sales in those markets. This growth comes at a time when Europe's reliance on imported oil is under scrutiny due to the conflict in the Middle East. In Q1 2026, EU countries registered more than 500,000 vehicles, up 33.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland all recorded BEV growth above 40% year to date. The growth is also showing up across all major European markets.
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