Electric vehicles drive down CO2 emissions of new cars in Europe

Green Forum
Average CO2 emissions from all new cars registered in Europe in 2023 continued to decrease and were 1.4% lower than in 2022, according to new provisional data published today by the European Environment Agency. 

Similarly, average CO2 emissions from new vans continued to fall and were 1.6% lower than in 2022. The reductions in emissions from new cars and vans are related to the growing share of fully electric vehicles.

These provisional data show that, in 2023,10.7 million new cars were registered in Europe, which translates to an increase of 13.2% compared to 2022. Almost a quarter of these new car registrations were electric – either fully or plug-in hybrid. Among the reporting countries, the fleet share of electric cars was highest In Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, reaching 90.5%, 60.7%, and 60.4%, respectively.

In 2023, 1.2 million new vans were registered in Europe, which is 20.2% above the 2022 levels. The share of electric vans reached 8% in 2023. More than half of the fully electric vans were registered in three countries: France, Germany, and Sweden.

Car registrations surged 13.2% in 2023, with nearly a quarter being electric (full or plug-in hybrid). Norway, Sweden, and Iceland led the way with electric car shares exceeding 60%.

Van registrations also jumped 20.2%, with electric vans reaching 8% market share. France, Germany, and Sweden dominated the electric van market.

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Green Forum  |  19 February, 2026 at 10:24 AM
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