Europe’s electric vehicle sales surpass petrol cars as Africa lags in EV adoption

Brussels. Sales of fully electric cars in the European Union have, for the first time, surpassed those of conventional petrol‑only vehicles, a milestone that underscores profound changes in mobility on one continent even as others struggles to keep pace.

New data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show that in December 2025, registrations of battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) in the EU overtook petrol car registrations, marking a historic first.

Fully electric vehicles have been buoyed by strong year‑on‑year growth, industry competition and evolving consumer preferences, with electrified powertrains, including plug‑in and hybrid models, now accounting for a commanding share of new car sales.

According to Reuters, this shift came even as some EU policymakers proposed scaling back emissions regulations that might otherwise have hastened the end of combustion engines.

US brand Tesla saw its registrations decline sharply in December, while Chinese competitor BYD registered explosive growth of 229.7 percent in the EU market.

Overall, electric, plug‑in hybrid and hybrid vehicles made up roughly 67 percent of all registrations in December, with BEVs alone capturing 22.6 percent of new registrations in the EU. Petrol cars trailed with 22.5 percent.

Industry analysts suggest that this electrification momentum will persist throughout 2026, driven by increasing affordability, expanding model choices and consumer incentives.

 Yet, even with this acceleration, hybrids continue to hold the largest single market segment in Europe.

Africa’s EV Reality: A Distant Horizon

In sharp contrast, the transition to electric mobility across much of Africa remains nascent.

While there are pockets of innovation and early adoption, particularly in two‑ and three‑wheeled electric vehicles, the broader uptake of battery electric cars is constrained by structural challenges.

A Reuters analysis of motor‑manufacturers’ strategies highlights that although Chinese automakers are targeting Africa as a future growth frontier, low incomes, high import duties and sporadic power supplies have long hindered broader vehicle sales on the continent.

Charging infrastructure is limited in most countries, and the overall EV market remains small compared with Europe’s robust expansion.

Tanzania’s Slow EV Emergence

In Tanzania, electric vehicles, while still a far cry from mainstream adoption, are beginning to make modest inroads.

Estimates suggest that roughly 5,000 electric motor vehicles, predominantly motorcycles and tuk‑tuks, are operational in the country.

Government and private actors are engaging to build charging infrastructure and develop supportive policies, including draft national strategies and tax incentives designed to encourage EV registration and station installations.

Despite these early steps, Tanzania, like many African economies, faces significant hurdles: high taxes on vehicle imports, insufficient charging networks, limited public awareness and a market still heavily reliant on petrol and diesel.

Rural charging facilities remain rare, and affordability remains a core barrier for widespread electric car adoption.

A Tale of Two Continents

Europe’s electrification trajectory reflects decades of coordinated policy, considerable investment and evolving consumer demand.

Its historic overtaking of petrol car sales underscores not only technological shifts but also political and economic will.

In contrast, Africa’s adoption of electric vehicles is still embryonic, with progress uneven and largely dependent on infrastructure, policy support and market dynamics that are still evolving.

The continent’s vast potential, from EV fleets to renewable energy synergies, may yet be realised, but for the foreseeable future, battery electric cars remain a distant vision rather than everyday reality in many African countries.