Registrations of new trucks and buses increased across the European Union during the first nine months of 2026, with electric vehicles gaining a larger share of both markets. Data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) shows that EU truck registrations of vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes and above rose by 7.5% year-on-year to 245,079 units. Bus registrations increased by 15.2% to 32,695 units.
ACEA described the growth in truck registrations as a recovery from a relatively weak market in 2025, while the bus sector continued to record stronger growth. Electrically chargeable vehicles also expanded their presence, particularly in medium-duty trucks and buses.
Plug-in trucks increase market share
Diesel remained the dominant powertrain in the EU truck market, accounting for 91.7% of registrations between January and September 2026. Diesel truck registrations increased by 6.6% compared with the same period in 2025.
Plug-in electric truck registrations grew by 49.9%, raising their market share to 5.3%, compared with 3.8% a year earlier. Germany, France and the Netherlands recorded the strongest increases among the leading markets, with year-on-year growth of 77.2%, 60.2% and 57.5%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 74% of registrations in the segment.
ACEA classifies trucks weighing between 3.5 and 16 tonnes as medium-duty vehicles, while those weighing 16 tonnes or more are categorised as heavy-duty trucks. Vehicles below 3.5 tonnes are included in the van category and are excluded from these figures.
Medium-duty electric trucks approach 20% market share
The EU medium-duty truck market recorded approximately 39,000 registrations in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 2.5% year-on-year. Within this category, plug-in electric truck registrations rose by 44% to 7,753 units.
As a result, electrically chargeable vehicles reached 19.8% of medium-duty truck registrations, up from 14.1% in the corresponding period of 2025.
Germany was the largest market for medium-duty electric trucks, registering 3,879 units. This represented half of all EU registrations in the category and an increase of 72% year-on-year.
Other markets also recorded growth. The Netherlands registered 1,195 medium-duty electric trucks, up 40%, while France recorded 974 units, an increase of 86%. Spain reached 320 units, up 36%, and Poland registered 135 units, representing 90% growth.
In contrast, registrations declined in Italy and Belgium. Italy recorded 200 units, down 56%, while Belgium registered 42 units, a decrease of 58%. Sweden remained relatively stable at 443 units, up 5%.
Outside the EU, the UK recorded 2,960 medium-duty electric trucks, an increase of 55% year-on-year. Iceland and Norway also reported strong growth, with registrations reaching 94 units and 445 units, respectively.
Germany leads heavy-duty electric truck registrations
Heavy-duty trucks accounted for the majority of the EU truck market, with 205,857 registrations between January and September, up 8.5% year-on-year.
Electric models reached 5,120 registrations in this category, giving them a market share of 2.5%, compared with 1.7% in the same period last year. Registrations increased by 59.9% across the EU.
Germany again led the market, with 1,722 heavy-duty electric trucks registered, representing a 91% increase. The country accounted for 33.6% of all EU registrations in this segment.
The Netherlands followed with 1,022 units, up 84%, while Austria recorded 393 units, also an increase of 84%. Denmark registered 271 heavy-duty electric trucks, representing growth of 62%.
Switzerland recorded 605 heavy-duty electric truck registrations, an increase of 62%. Electric vehicles accounted for 24% of new heavy-duty truck registrations in the country, the highest share reported in Europe.
Other markets with relatively high electric shares included Norway at 14.4%, the Netherlands at 11.1% and Sweden at 10.3%. Germany’s share stood at 4.2%.
Electric buses reach 26.4% of EU registrations
The EU bus market recorded 32,695 new registrations in the first three quarters of 2026, up 15.2% year-on-year. Of these, 8,633 were plug-in electric buses, representing 26.4% of the market. This compares with an electric bus market share of 23.8% for the full year 2025.
Italy, France and Germany were the largest markets by total registrations, each recording more than 5,000 new buses. Registrations increased by 34.4% in Italy, 10.5% in France and 10.1% in Germany.
Poland also recorded significant growth, with total bus registrations rising by 69% to approximately 3,100 units. This made it the EU’s fourth-largest bus market during the period.
Diesel buses continued to represent the largest powertrain category, accounting for 58.4% of registrations after increasing by 5% year-on-year. Non-plug-in hybrid buses grew by 24%, reaching a 6.9% market share.
Italy leads EU electric bus registrations
Italy recorded the highest number of new plug-in electric bus registrations in the EU, with 1,970 units, an increase of 116% year-on-year.
Poland and Portugal also reported substantial growth. Poland registered 999 electric buses, up 557%, while Portugal reached 642 units, an increase of 379%. The Netherlands recorded 783 units, up 86%, and France registered 665 units, representing 33% growth.
Germany moved in the opposite direction, with 836 electric bus registrations, down 30% from 1,202 units in the same period of 2025. Sweden and Belgium also recorded declines of 40% and 71%, respectively. The figures for Germany partly reflect the comparison with an unusually strong performance in 2025.
Across the EU, electric bus adoption was distributed across a wider range of markets than electric truck registrations. Seventeen member states recorded electric bus registrations in the double or triple digits during the previous year.
UK loses its lead in electric bus registrations
Across Europe, the UK remained the largest market for total bus registrations, although its position weakened during the first nine months of 2026. The country recorded 5,672 new buses, a decline of 27% year-on-year.
The UK also lost its leading position in plug-in electric bus registrations. Its total fell by 22.7% to 1,727 units, placing it behind Italy’s 1,970 registrations.
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Electric buses accounted for 37% of new bus registrations in Italy, compared with 30% in the UK. Romania and the Netherlands recorded the highest electric bus market shares in the latest figures, at 82% and 75%, respectively.
The ACEA figures indicate that electrification is progressing at different rates across European commercial vehicle segments. Electric buses have established a larger market presence, while medium-duty electric trucks are approaching a 20% share. Heavy-duty electric trucks remain a smaller part of the market, although registrations are increasing in several major European countries.