Norway widened its lead over Spain in electric-car adoption: 98.3 percent of new cars registered there in the first half of the year were electric, compared with Spain’s 21.8 percent plug-in share. Spanish plug-in registrations have doubled since July 2024, but the gap remains large. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) says Norway’s electric share stayed above 95% through 2026, reaching 97.8% in the first eight months.
In the first half of 2026, Chinese brands and companies under Chinese control captured about 25% of new EV registrations in Norway, Euronews reported. The figures reflect the country’s role as a basic entry point for global electric car makers.
Diesel once ruled Spanish roads. Now it is almost gone: only 3 percent of new cars sold in Spain run on diesel. Hybrids have become the top choice, taking 39 percent of registrations. Gasoline cars still account for 24 percent. Plug-in vehicles, including fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids, rank third, with 21.8 percent of the market. ACEA and ICCT data show Spain’s plug-in market is growing, but battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up just 10% of new sales from January to August 2026. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are growing even faster than BEVs.
Spain’s gains look small next to those of its northern neighbors. Portugal has reached a 39.6 percent plug-in share, while Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland continue to lead Europe’s electric shift. Spain stands out for its heavy use of plug-in hybrids, which make up 55 percent of all Spanish plug-in registrations. Across Europe, fully electric cars account for over 60 percent. Spanish drivers still have doubts about electric technology, and fast, affordable urban charging remains scarce. ACEA says the EU average for battery-electric vehicles reached 21.7% by August 2026. Spain is still behind, even as it speeds up.
China’s electric car industry is moving fast. Plug-ins make up 54.1 percent of new vehicles there, and two-thirds are fully electric. Chinese brands are also gaining ground in Spain, where they accounted for 14.8 percent of all new car registrations and 31 percent of plug-in sales in the first half of the year. This reflects a wider European trend, but China’s scale is unmatched: more than half of all new cars sold there are plug-ins.
Alberto Morla, communication director for GWM España, points to major differences between Spain and China. Spanish buyers are older, with an average age of 50 compared with 35 in China. Cars stay on Spanish roads much longer: 14.6 years on average, against 6.6 years in China. SUVs are the top choice in both countries, accounting for 60 percent of Spanish sales and about half in China.
Europa Press reports that Spanish industry assessments put the country far from its 2030 electric mobility targets. Experts say hybrids continue to outpace fully electric cars as the preferred alternative to combustion engines.
Spain’s electric push is picking up speed, but charging points are being rolled out slowly and many buyers remain cautious. As reported earlier, many Spanish drivers see plug-in hybrids as the safer choice. High prices and patchy infrastructure make them hesitate.
Plug-in registrations in Spain have jumped, but the gap with northern Europe remains wide. Diesel is almost gone, and Chinese brands are gaining ground. Hybrids still dominate as charging infrastructure lags. Spain is not yet all-in on electric cars; catching up will require better infrastructure and stronger consumer trust, along with new policies.
