The adoption of green vehicles across Europe continues to gain momentum, with Albania marking a notable 15% increase in its electric and hybrid vehicle fleet, reaching a total of 7,358 units by the end of March 2025. According to the General Directorate of Road Transport Services (DPSHTRR), this growth is largely driven by fiscal incentives and rising consumer awareness.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Albania registered 980 all-electric vehicles, reflecting a significant 55% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, 33% of these newly registered electric vehicles were brand new (0 km), and 72.1% met the high Euro 5 emissions standard or above, further reinforcing the country’s shift towards environmentally sustainable transport.
EU Embraces Battery Electric Vehicles
Across the European Union, the trend is even more pronounced. Sales of new battery-electric cars surged by 34% in January 2025, with 124,341 units sold and a market share of 15%. Three of the region’s largest markets—Germany (+53.5%), Belgium (+37.2%), and the Netherlands (+28.2%)—led the charge, while France reported a marginal 0.5% decline.
Hybrid-electric vehicles also saw a robust upswing, with a 18.4% year-on-year increase in January. France recorded a remarkable 52.2% growth, followed by Spain (+23.5%), Germany (+13.7%), and Italy (+10.6%). This translated into 290,014 units registered, capturing a dominant 34.9% share of the EU auto market.
Plug-in Hybrids and Combustion Engines Face Decline
However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) witnessed a downturn, falling 8.5% to 61,406 units in January 2025. Major drops in Belgium (-66.6%) and France (-54%) contributed to the decline, reducing PHEVs to a 7.4% market share.
Conventional internal combustion engines also continued their downward spiral. Petrol vehicle registrations fell sharply by 18.9%, with France experiencing the steepest drop at -28.2%, followed by Germany (-23.7%), Italy (-17%), and Spain (-11.1%). Petrol cars now hold just 29.4% of the EU market, a significant drop from 35.4% a year ago. Diesel vehicles also saw a 27% decline, with their market share dipping to just 10%.
A Clear Shift Toward Sustainable Mobility
The data paints a clear picture: both Albania and the wider EU are accelerating their transition to cleaner, greener mobility solutions. With strong government backing and shifting consumer preferences, electric and hybrid vehicles are not just gaining ground—they’re redefining the future of transportation.
