Electric vehicle sales surge 51% in Europe amid rising fuel prices

London/Brussels: Electric vehicle (EV) sales across Europe have surged significantly following rising petrol prices linked to ongoing Iran-related tensions, with consumers rapidly shifting toward cleaner and more cost-effective transport options.

According to a report by New Automotive, registrations of battery-powered electric vehicles in major European markets jumped by 51% in March alone.

The data shows that more than 224,000 new electric cars were registered across 15 European countries during the month, accounting for approximately 22% of all new car sales.

In the first quarter of 2026, over 500,000 electric vehicles were registered in European Union member states a 33.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

The five largest markets Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland recorded growth exceeding 40%.

Germany, Europe’s largest auto market, saw a renewed boost in EV adoption following the introduction of government incentives.

Nearly one in four newly registered cars in March was electric, while overall EV sales have increased by 42% since the start of the year.

Italy also reported strong growth, with EV registrations rising by 65% so far this year, pushing their market share to 8.6% in March, up from around 5% at the end of 2025.

France remained among the top performers, with electric vehicles accounting for 28% of total car sales in March.

Experts say recent energy challenges have significantly influenced consumer behavior, with rising fuel costs accelerating the transition toward electric mobility. They add that as energy security becomes a key political priority, EV adoption is emerging as a practical and sustainable solution.