Leif Rohwedder from Pixabay
Europe’s automotive market continued its upward trend in April, marking a third consecutive month of growth driven by rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. Bulgaria emerged as one of the continent’s fastest-growing markets, according to new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.
New car registrations in Bulgaria rose by 18.3% year-on-year in April, with 4,742 vehicles registered during the month. Only Estonia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom recorded stronger growth rates across Europe.
Petrol-powered cars continued to dominate the Bulgarian market, accounting for just over 70% of new registrations. Diesel vehicles made up 11.8%, while electric vehicles reached a 9.6% market share. Hybrid models represented 6%, with plug-in hybrids accounting for just under 2%.
Across Europe, total new car registrations increased by 7% in April to 1.15 million units, while registrations within the European Union rose by 5.1% to more than 972,000 vehicles. Demand for electric cars surged by 38%, with nearly 747,000 new EVs registered in the EU during the first four months of 2026, giving the segment a market share of almost 20%.
