Hungary’s new passenger car market continued to expand during the first half of 2026, with registrations rising 13.3% year-on-year to 74,905 vehicles, according to data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Electrified powertrains dominated new registrations during the January-June period. Hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 59% of all new passenger car sales, while petrol-powered models represented 21%, diesel vehicles 10%, and fully electric vehicles 8% of the market.
Battery electric vehicle sales surge
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) remained one of the fastest-growing segments of the Hungarian market. Registrations of fully electric passenger cars increased 43.7% year-on-year to 7,497 units during the first six months of 2026, significantly outpacing overall market growth.
Momentum continued in June, when 1,561 battery electric vehicles were registered, representing a 19.4% increasecompared with the same month last year Overall, Hungary registered 15,096 new passenger cars in June, a 31.1% year-on-year increase, making it one of the strongest monthly performances of 2026.
Hybrids remain the preferred choice
The combined market share of hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 59%, confirming that Hungarian buyers continue to favour electrified technologies while maintaining the flexibility offered by hybrid powertrains.
Petrol-powered cars accounted for just over one-fifth of new registrations, while diesel continued its long-term decline, representing only one in ten new passenger cars sold during the first half of the year.
Hungary outpaces the broader European market
Hungary’s performance exceeded the pace of the wider European market. Across the EU, new passenger car registrations increased 5.7% during the first half of 2026, according to ACEA, while demand was increasingly concentrated in electrified vehicles.
Hybrid models remained the EU’s largest powertrain category, accounting for 37.3% of registrations, while battery electric vehicles continued to gain market share as manufacturers expanded their electric model ranges.
