Norway now registers 98.3 percent electric cars while Spain, despite doubling its plug-in sales, remains far behind. Diesel has nearly vanished as Spanish buyers turn to hybrids and face a slow transition to full electrics.
Norway’s electric car numbers have hit a new high. In the first half of the year, 98.3 percent of new cars registered there were electric. Spain’s plug-in share sits at 21.8 percent. That’s after Spanish registrations doubled since July 2024. The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reports Norway’s electric share stayed above 95% through 2026. For the first eight months, it reached 97.8%. Norway is still far ahead of the rest of Europe.
Diesel used to rule Spanish roads. Now it’s almost gone. Only 3 percent of new cars sold in Spain run on diesel. Buyers have changed course. Hybrids now take 39 percent of registrations. They’re the top pick for Spanish drivers. Gasoline cars still hold 24 percent. Plug-in vehicles—both pure electric and plug-in hybrids—are now the third choice, 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.
In the first half of 2026, Chinese brands and companies under Chinese control captured about 25% of new EV registrations in Norway, reflecting the country's role as a key entry point for global electric car makers.
Spain’s gains look small next to its northern neighbors. Portugal has reached a 39.6 percent plug-in share. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland still lead Europe’s electric shift. Spain stands out for its heavy use of plug-in hybrids. PHEVs make up 55 percent of all Spanish plug-in registrations. Across Europe, fully electric cars account for over 60 percent. This shows Spanish drivers still have doubts about electric tech. Fast, affordable urban charging is still missing. ACEA says the EU average for battery-electric vehicles hit 21.7% by August 2026. Spain is still behind, even as it speeds up.
China’s electric car industry is moving fast. Plug-ins now make up 54.1 percent of new vehicles there. Two-thirds are fully electric. Chinese brands are showing up in Spain too. They now account for 14.8 percent of all new car registrations and 31 percent of plug-in sales in the first half of the year. This matches a wider European trend. But China’s scale is unmatched. More than half of all new cars sold in China are plug-ins.
Alberto Morla, communication director for GWM España, points out some big differences between Spain and China. Spanish buyers are older. The average age is 50, compared to 35 in China. Spanish cars stay on the road much longer—14.6 years on average, while in China it’s just 6.6 years. SUVs are the top choice in both countries. They make up 60 percent of Spanish sales and about half in China.
Despite the recent surge in plug-in registrations, Spanish industry assessments indicate the country remains far from its 2030 electric mobility targets, with experts noting that hybrids continue to outpace pure electrics as the preferred alternative to combustion engines.
Spain’s electric push is picking up speed. But the rollout of charging points is slow. Many buyers are still cautious. As reported earlier, a lot of 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 is still wide. Diesel is almost gone. Chinese brands are rising fast. The market is changing. Still, hybrids rule and charging points lag behind. Spain is not all-in on electric yet. To catch up, Spain needs more than just sales. It needs better infrastructure, stronger consumer trust, and new policies. The road ahead is long.
