Plug-in hybrids surpass diesel cars in sales for the first time in Europe

In the first 10 months of 2025, Europeans purchased more plug-in hybrids (PHEV) than diesel cars. Diesel models now rank fifth in popularity, also behind gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

What is known

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) surpassed diesel cars in sales in the region for the first time from January to October 2025. Diesel models now account for only 8% of total new car sales in the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland (EFTA countries), and the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the market share of PHEVs was 9.4% with a growth of 32.9% compared to the same period last year. Diesel car sales fell by 24.1% year-over-year.

This marked the final stage of the decline of once promising fuel types. In 2017, gasoline cars surpassed diesel in sales in Europe. Self-charging hybrids repeated this achievement in 2021, followed by electric vehicles.

Today, hybrid models lead with a market share of 34.7%, followed by gasoline cars at 26.9% and electric vehicles at 18.3%.

With the constant tightening of emission standards, it is not surprising that diesel models are becoming rarer. There was a time when even the most compact urban cars in Europe, including the tiny Smart ForTwo, were offered with diesel engines. Today, the situation has changed drastically. However, this does not mean the complete disappearance of diesel powerplants — BMW and Audi still offer diesel engines in new models.

Source: ACEA