Surge in hybrid car sales confirms EU need for flexible approach to biofuels
The latest figures from the European automobile industry highlight the importance of a flexible EU approach to de-fossilising road transport – one that includes sustainable biofuels such as renewable ethanol, the most effective way to reduce emissions from the hybrid and petrol cars that EU motorists prefer.
Hybrid vehicles that run partially on liquid fuel remain “the preferred choice among EU consumers”, according to European automobile manufacturers association ACEA, which also noted significant growth in the plug-in hybrid segment.
The hybrids representing 34.6% of new car sales so far in 2025 and they are “the preferred choice among EU consumers.” Plug-in hybrids now represent 9.1% of the EU new-car market, up from 7% last year.
Petrol and hybrid cars together make up more than 71% of new cars. These vehicles will be on the roads for a long time, and the most immediate and cost-effective way to de-fossilise them is with renewable ethanol, which reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 79% on average compared to fossil petrol.
While sales of battery-electric vehicles have increased as well, they still represent just 16.4% of new EU car registrations.
The need for a more flexible and pragmatic EU approach to de-fossilising road transport has never been clearer. Even beyond 2035, renewable fuels such as ethanol have an important role to play.
That’s why the European Commission should revise the CO2 cars & vans emissions Regulation to include sustainable RED-compliant biofuels and low carbon fuels in the definition CO2-neutral fuels.
