Europe’s landmark 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars is once again under political pressure as slowing electric-vehicle (EV) adoption raises doubts about whether the deadline remains achievable. While Northern Europe races ahead, new data shows that Croatia is among the weakest performers in the EU, with electric mobility barely gaining traction.
A new analysis by TradingPedia, using car registration figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for January–September 2024 and 2025, highlights just how uneven Europe’s transition has become — and where Croatia stands as the EU rethinks its strategy.
Croatia Near the Bottom of Europe’s EV Rankings
Croatia recorded an EV share of just 4.43% of new car registrations in 2025, placing it among the three slowest adopters in Europe, alongside Bulgaria and Slovakia. Even more concerning is the trend: Croatia posted a 51.92% year-on-year decline in battery-electric registrations, one of the steepest drops on the continent.
Meanwhile, petrol and diesel remain firmly embedded in Croatia’s automotive market.
According to ACEA’s extended January–October data:
Petrol cars remain the most popular option with 29,236 newly registered vehicles.
Hybrid electric passenger cars follow with 19,729 registrations.
Diesel cars recorded 8,739 new registrations, continuing their downward trajectory.
While the overall EV share is low, the data reveals an interesting nuance:
Plug-in hybrid registrations rose sharply — up 75% to 2,089 units.
Hybrid electric cars increased by 32%.
But battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) plunged 43% to just 925 units.
Diesel sales fell by 21%, continuing their long-term decline.
These figures illustrate a fragmented transition, with many Croatian drivers choosing “partially electric” options such as hybrids, but showing limited appetite for fully electric models.
Croatia’s sluggish progress contrasts sharply with the rapid electrification seen in the Nordics:
Norway leads with an extraordinary 96.81% EV share, including 107,606 BEVs registered in 2025.
Denmark follows at 68.73%,
Sweden at 62.04%,
Finland at 56.58%,
Iceland at 56.07%.
Finland recorded the fastest growth, jumping nearly 18 percentage points in a single year, while Denmark saw a steep drop in plug-in hybrid sales but continued BEV strength.
This widening gap underscores a two-speed transition: while Northern Europe edges toward full electrification, Eastern European markets — Croatia included — remain far below the 10% mark.
Europe’s largest automotive markets continue to dominate EV sales:
Germany leads with 382,202 new BEVs in 2025.
The United Kingdom registered 349,414.
France followed with 216,310.
Together, these three countries account for over one-third of all electric cars sold in Europe.
Germany and the UK saw total EV sales rise by 46.6% and 32.2%, respectively. France, however, recorded an 8.6% decline, driven by a collapse in plug-in hybrid registrations.
What This Means for Croatia
With the EU reconsidering its 2035 petrol-car ban and automakers lobbying for a “more pragmatic” transition, the latest data suggests Croatia risks falling further behind unless urgent action is taken.
To avoid widening the gap, experts argue Croatia may need to:
accelerate charging-infrastructure investment,
strengthen incentives for fully electric cars,
improve consumer confidence through clearer long-term policy commitments, and
align national strategies more closely with EU decarbonisation goals.
While Europe moves toward an electric future, Croatia remains stuck in the slow lane — and the road ahead is getting steeper.
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Mark Thomas Media
Put bana Josipa Jelacica 25, 20207, Brasina, Mlini.
info@thedubrovniktimes.com
