10 November 2026 E-car registration record in October 35 percent of new cars are purely battery-powered

Mobility Minister Hanke: “Austria is on the way to becoming an E-car country, we must resolutely continue this path!” Increase of 63 percent for electric cars compared to October 2025.

Electromobility in Austria continues its impressive course of growth: In October 2026, a total of 8,434 battery-electric cars (BEV) were newly registered. This represents an increase of 63.3 percent compared to October of the previous year. With a share of 34.9 percent, more than one in three newly registered cars were purely electric, with 3,420 being plug-in hybrids. Overall, 24,174 cars were newly registered in October. This continues the dynamic development of recent months.

“The current figures impressively show that Austria is well on its way to becoming an E-car country. We must resolutely continue this path. More than a third of people buying a new car now choose a pure electric drive – if plug-in hybrids are included, it's almost half. This is a strong signal and a clear proof that the days of fossil fuels in the transport sector are numbered. Electromobility has long since reached everyday life and is becoming an attractive alternative for more and more people. With our initiative eMOVE Austria, we are accelerating this development,” emphasises Mobility Minister Peter Hanke.

Already half of the vehicles are traveling with a cable

The overall development since the beginning of the year also underlines the positive trend. From January to October 2026, 265,282 cars were newly registered in Austria. Of these, approximately 27 percent were purely electric vehicles. Compared to the same period last year, this means an increase of 39.5 percent for battery-electric cars.

The shift in the automotive market is particularly evident also when looking at the types of drive: In October, together with plug- in hybrids, nearly 50 percent of all newly registered cars were electrified and therefore have a plug for charging. Only about every second new vehicle had a purely fossil fuel drive. “We see a clear change in the Austrian car market. More and more people and companies recognise the advantages of electromobility and decide for it.

„This development is also economically and energetically significant. Because every additional electric car helps us make the transport sector more independent of imported oil and international price fluctuations,” says Hanke.

Listing of car registrations by drive type (in this representation, hybrids that gain electrical power only through regenerative braking are listed as diesel or petrol vehicles):

• Petrol including hybrids: 9,754 registrations, 40.3 absolutely percentage
• Battery-electric (BEV): 8,434 registrations, 34.9 absolutely percentage
• Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV): 3,420 registrations, 14.1 absolutely percentage
• Diesel including hybrids: 2,566 registrations, 10.6 absolutely percentage

Information and reliable framework conditions are the best Lever for electrification of transport

To further support the positive development, the Mobility Ministry is focusing on expanding the charging infrastructure, clear information and reliable framework conditions. The initiative eMOVE Austria bundles measures to make electromobility more accessible and attractive. An important focus is the further expansion of the public charging network and speeding up additional charging infrastructure along the motorways and expressways.

In parallel, the Ministry launched the nationwide information campaign  Keine E-ngste mehr! (in English: No E-fears anymore!) to raise awareness. The campaign addressed frequent questions and reservations about range, charging, costs and batteries and presents understandable facts against them.

„We don't want to persuade anyone, but to inform and create the necessary prerequisites. At the same time, we must ensure that electromobility is feasible throughout Austria. This includes a well-developed charging network and reliable framework conditions. The October figures show that we are on a good path. We will consistently continue this course!” concludes Hanke.