In Spain, the plug-in vehicles They are beginning to occupy a significant share of total sales, while in the European Union, battery electric vehicles are gaining market share in a context where gasoline and diesel cars are declining. All of this is happening amidst changes in government subsidy programs, the entry of new Chinese manufacturers, and the adjustment of traditional brands to this new landscape.
Spain: Electric cars are gaining ground in new car registrations
In the Spanish market, the figures for February show that pure electric vehicles (BEV) They are progressing at a good pace. One of the reports states 9.097 electric vehicles registered in that month, which represents an approximate increase of 45 % compared to the same period of the previous year and a 9,1% market share of passenger cars. It's a proportion that would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago, when three-digit figures were rarely discussed.
If the focus is broadened to include the plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)The presence of plug-in vehicles is skyrocketing. PHEVs totaled around [number missing] in February. 12.300 to 12.700 units, with growth rates around 80 % compared to the previous year and a share of slightly more than 12 %Combined, pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles reach close to 21-22% shareso approximately one in five new cars sold In Spain, it is already connected to the electrical grid.
In parallel, the conventional hybrids They continue to be the go-to choice for many drivers who don't yet want to switch to electric. With a 39.000 units and nearly 47% market shareThey continue to dominate the market, although the medium-term trend suggests that some of these buyers could migrate towards electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as prices fall and subsidies become more established.
Traditional engines are clearly losing ground. gasoline they are around 22.800 registrations and fall around a 20 %with a market share of around 23%, while the diesel barely exceeds 5.400 units and is already moving around the 5-6% of salesVehicles too gas (LPG and CNG) They are declining, with just over 3.000 registrations and a drop of nearly 30%.
If all engine types are added together, the Spanish passenger car market registered a growth of around 7,5%, with something more than 97.000 units soldThe increase could be even greater if the exceptional effect of the 2024 DANA storm in the Valencian Community is taken into account, which boosted last year's registrations through specific fleet renewal programs.
The best-selling electric models: Tesla dominates and China pushes hard.
In the models section, the Tesla Model 3 remains as the Best-selling electric car in SpainIn February, he scores slightly more than 1.170 unitsThis represents a significant doubling of its year-on-year figures thanks to the arrival of new vehicle shipments and the model renewal. This boost also allows it to lead the year-to-date figures with more than 1.100 registrations.
From behind appears the Tesla Model Y, which is consolidating as the Reference electric SUV in our country. Its registrations are around 400 units per monthwith slight growth compared to the previous year, and already exceed the 800 units in the entire exerciseAlthough it shows a less explosive evolution than the Model 3, it remains one of the pillars of the electric vehicle market in Spain.
The third major player in the ranking is the BYD Dolphin SurfA compact car of Chinese origin that has quickly carved out a niche in the market. With just over 430 registrations in February and over 700 units so far this yearIt has established itself as one of the most popular models among those seeking a relatively affordable electric vehicle. At the European level, it also ranks among the best-performing battery-powered cars in its segment.
The list of electric vehicles with the best figures also includes other Asian and European models. BYD Act 3 It blames the generational shift and has reduced its sales compared to last year, while proposals such as the Kia EV3, Renault R5 electric or Dacia spring They show downward corrections after a more intense start to the cycle. However, they remain in the top positions and reflect the interest in options of different sizes and prices.
Segment German premium It maintains a certain balance despite the pressure from new brands. Mercedes EQA It registers moderate growth of around 13%, consolidating its position as the firm's most in-demand electric vehicle in Spain, while BMW It places models like the iX1 or iX2 in the upper-middle part of the ranking with slight variations. Audi, for its part, manages to make the Q4 e tron It stands out as the most popular electric vehicle in our market.
The rise of Chinese brands and the role of Stellantis
One of the major new developments in the current landscape is the increasing visibility of the Chinese electric car brands in Spain. BYD It has established itself as the leading Asian manufacturer, not only locally but also in Europe. Its models, led by the Dolphin Surf And the Atto and Seal SUV ranges allow it to climb the ranks among manufacturers with the most electric vehicles sold, to the point of placing ahead of Tesla in the global European ranking for January and register increases of close to 94% in battery car registrations in the Old Continent.
In the Spanish market, in addition to BYD, other brands from China are beginning to gain notoriety, such as MG, Leapmotor, Dongfeng, Xpeng, Changan or VoyahBrands like MG have managed to make models like the electric MG4 They position themselves as highly competitive alternatives in terms of price/equipment ratio, while others, such as Leap motorThey arrive with proposals such as the B10, which has already broken into the Top 20 electric vehicle sales.
Joining this group are new Asian players who are taking advantage of the gaps left by some European brands, now more cautious as they wait to launch their next locally manufactured compact electric vehicles. The case of Volkswagen and Renault It is illustrative: both have slowed their electric offensive while preparing more accessible models produced in Spanish and European plants, which opens the door for Chinese manufacturers to strengthen their presence.
Meanwhile, the group Stellantis It plays a relevant role by combining local production and electric models for the general public. Peugeot e-2008, assembled at the Vigo plant, has become the Best-selling "Made in Spain" electric carThis demonstrates that domestic manufacturing can play a significant role in the zero-emissions market. Furthermore, Stellantis is promoting the brand's marketing in Spain. Leap motorThis reinforces their strategy of covering different price and technology segments.
In the high end of the market and in very specific niches, other newcomers are also making themselves known, such as the Deepal S05, which breaks into the monthly Top 10 with a good part of its sales coming from private customers, a sign that the end public is beginning to trust lesser-known but competitive brands in terms of range, equipment and price.
Aid plans, taxation and effect on sales
The advancement of the electric car sales In Spain, it is closely linked to the existence of incentive plans clear and stable. After several years in which the Moves III Plan and income tax deductions helped to bolster the market, the new program auto+ He takes over with a complement of about 400 millones de eurosUnlike the Moves plan, this plan focuses on the acquisition of the vehicle and excludes the installation of charging points, in addition to adjusting the amounts according to the price of the car and whether it is manufactured in Europe.
One of the key features of Auto+ is its retroactive characterThis allows buyers who register their car in 2026 to benefit from the subsidies once everything is regulated. This announcement has encouraged those who were hesitant to finalize their purchase and is considered one of the factors explaining the sharp increase in plug-in vehicle registrations in February, with growth rates exceeding [the previous year]. 60 % compared to 2025 in some estimates.
However, the incentive framework is not without its uncertainties. repeal in Congress of the extension of the 15% deduction in personal income tax The measure, concerning the purchase of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as the installation of charging points, has been met with concern by the sector. Manufacturers and trade associations such as ANFAC, GANVAM y faconauto They insist that this legislative instability could slow down purchasing decisions and cool a market that closed 2025 with more than 245.000 electrified vehicles sold and a share close to 18 %.
The associations are demanding a predictable regulatory environmentThey are calling for sustained support and no abrupt changes in taxation to reduce the perception of risk among consumers. They are urging the immediate reinstatement of income tax deductions and accelerated depreciation for companies investing in electric fleets, as well as the continuation of support programs for charging infrastructure and fleet renewal, including the replacement of commercial and heavy transport vehicles. These demands are also reflected in surveys on purchasing decisions and attitudes towards electric vehicles.
From the institutional side, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism argues that Auto+ will provide a new boost to electrification, while industry associations warn that the recent growth of plug-in cars shows signs of a certain stagnation in a few months, and that it's unwise to be overly optimistic. The key, they point out, will be to see if the announcement of the new aid translates into a sustained flow of registrations throughout the year and not just occasional spikes.
Europe: Electric vehicles are growing despite the overall market decline
While Spain is accelerating its move towards plug-in vehicles, the whole of the European Union It's experiencing a similar trend: fewer total registrations, but a greater share of electric cars. According to data from ACEAIn January, around [number] cases were registered in the EU. 154.000 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which is a year-on-year increase of more than 24% and a market share that hovers around 19-20%, compared to approximately 15% the previous year.
This advance comes in a context where the general passenger car market It falls around a 3,5-4%, With a 800.000 registrations in the month. The decline primarily affects internal combustion engine vehicles: the gasoline register declines of more than 28% and the diesel fall by around 22%, while the hybrid They become the most common type of engine in the EU, with slightly more 300.000 units and nearly 39% market share.
The plug-in hybrids They are also growing strongly: they surpass the 78.000 registrations and increase by almost a 30 % compared to the same period last year. Although its volume is lower than that of BEVs, its role as a transitional technology between combustion and pure electric is consolidating, especially among drivers who need flexibility for long journeys without being completely dependent on the charging infrastructure.
The situation varies by country. France and Germany Electric vehicle growth is leading the way with double-digit increases—over 20% in Germany and over 50% in France—driven by renewed incentives and an expanded range of local models. Conversely, Belgium and the Netherlands They are experiencing setbacks in BEV registrations, with double-digit drops, partly due to changes in aid programs and normalization after years of strong growth.
Outside the EU but within Europe, markets with historically high penetration of electric cars, such as Norway o NetherlandsThey have shown some months of downward adjustment, something that is interpreted as a maturation phase after several years in which electric vehicles became clearly the majority in new registrations.
Overall, the various sources agree that the market for electric carsBoth in Spain and the rest of Europe, the electric vehicle market is progressing in a clear direction despite occasional setbacks caused by changes in subsidies, geopolitical tensions, or tax variations. Sales are growing, the market share of plug-in vehicles now exceeds 20% in Spain and is approaching or surpassing 19% in the EU, traditional brands are being forced to accelerate their roadmaps, and new manufacturers—especially Chinese ones—are taking advantage of the moment to gain visibility. There is still a long way to go in Spain. infrastructurePrices and regulatory stability are factors, but the current market picture leaves little room for doubt about where car demand is headed in the coming years.
