For the first time, hybrid cars are the best-selling cars in Europe

377,168 hybrid cars were sold in Europe (considering EFTA countries and the UK), compared to 329,207 petrol cars

Renault Clio

By: Massimo Grassi

Published by: Brian Potter

Oct 28, 2024 at 8:11am ET

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Electric car sales are struggling to take off in Europe, and despite the growth recorded in September 2024, with 213,443 units for a +13.9% year-on-year increase compared to the same month in 2023, the shift to plug-in mobility remains - very - gradual with more and more drivers being directed towards the purchase of hybrid models. Which last month set a historic record.

For the first time in fact, hybrid cars were the best-selling cars in Europe, clearly surpassing petrol cars, which have historically dominated the market.

Generalised phenomenon

The numbers speak for themselves: in September 2024, 337,168 hybrid cars were registered in Europe - including EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) and the United Kingdom - an increase of 12.3% compared to 335,842 in September 2023. In contrast, petrol models dropped by 18.8%, from 450,491 to 329,207 units.

More than 121,000 units were 'lost' to the general decline of the car market in Europe (-4.2% last month), but only for non-electrified fuels, or almost. While electric and hybrid (which includes mild hybrids and full hybrids) are on the rise, plug-in is losing share (-11.7%), as is diesel, which is in constant decline with September 2024 closing at 93,304 units and -23.8% compared to the same month in 2023.

Renault Clio

Volkswagen Tiguan

Looking at the numbers for the first nine months of the year, petrol cars continue to lead the ranking of preferred fuels, with 3,337,265 units, closely followed by hybrids: 3,008,233. The numbers are now very similar, but the former have lost 5.6 per cent of market share, while the latter have grown by 19.2 per cent. At this rate, we would not be surprised to see a historic overall overtaking by the end of the year.

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Best-selling cars in Europe as of September 2024, power supplies

Fuel supply Registrations 9/2024 % market Hybrid 377,168 32.8 Petrol 329,207 29.8 Electric 213,443 17.3 Diesel 93,304 10.4 Plug-in 81,321 6.8 Other (LPG, methane, hydrogen) 23,640 2.9

Hybrid likes

On the other hand, one only has to look at the ranking of the best-selling cars in Europe in September 2024 to get an idea of the tastes of European motorists, once again conquered by the Tesla Model Y (the best-selling car ever) with the Renault Clio 'stealing' second place from the Dacia Sandero - a model also available with a full hybrid powertrain as opposed to its 'cousin', which is still relying heavily on LPG while awaiting the arrival of the new generation, expected in 2027.

Dacia Sandero

Volkswagen T-Roc

In the top 25, the only non-hybrid models are, in addition to the Sandero, the Peugeot 208 (petrol or electric), Volkswagen Polo (combustion only), Opel Corsa (petrol or electric), Peugeot 2008 (petrol or electric), Volkswagen T-Roc (combustion only) and MINI.