Brussels:Battery-electric car sales in the European Union experienced a significant increase of 72.9% year-on-year in September, reaching 290,117 units. This surge has contributed to the overall growth of the car market within the bloc, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the total new passenger car registrations, which indicate sales, climbed 9.3% to 971,048 units during the month. France led with battery-electric registrations more than doubling at a 107.5% rise, followed by Germany with a 94.7% increase. Spain and Italy also saw substantial growth, with sales climbing 71.7% and 47.3%, respectively.

Hybrid-electric registrations increased by 7.3% to 330,693 units, while plug-in hybrid registrations saw an 11.7% rise, amounting to 102,267 units. In contrast, petrol and diesel registrations declined by 23.4% and 29.6%, respectively.

For the first nine months of 2026, battery-electric registrations rose 48.5% to 1.93 million units, expanding their share of the EU market to 22.7% from 16.1% in the previous year. This growth positioned battery-electric cars as the second-most popular powertrain choice in the EU, just behind hybrid-electric vehicles.

Despite challenges such as rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions, demand for electrified vehicles remained robust, supported by measures encouraging purchases and a wider selection of models. Germany reported 604,144 battery-electric cars registered from January to September, marking a 58.1% increase, while France recorded a 79.1% rise with 387,342 units.

Belgium and Denmark also contributed to the upward trend, with battery-electric registrations increasing by 15.7% and 40.3%, respectively. Hybrid-electric vehicles continued to lead preferences among EU consumers, with registrations rising 10.7% to 3.09 million units, making up 36.3% of the market.

Plug-in hybrid registrations grew by 18.6% to 860,257 units, increasing their market share to 10.1% from 9%. Italy, Spain, and Germany saw significant growth in this segment, with increases of 72.4%, 34.7%, and 13.7%, respectively.

Conversely, petrol car registrations fell by 19.1% to 1.8 million units, reducing their market share to 21.2% from 27.7%, while diesel registrations dropped 19.5% to 602,206 units, with their share falling to 7.1% from 9.3%.

Overall, the EU's new passenger car market expanded by 5.7% to 8.52 million units during the first nine months of the year. When considering the EU, the European Free Trade Association, and the UK collectively, battery-electric registrations rose by 59.9% in September to 416,433 units and increased by 41.9% to 2.55 million units over the nine-month period.