Spain 2026. EV Sector Report Strong Gains, Outpaces Many EU Markets

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Spanish Auto Market in 2025 is expanding. Sales in January grew 1.1%, with Seat and Peugeot surging onto the podium while Renault and Kia lost their spot. EVs report impressive gains to a 40% share.

Economic Environment

Spain’s 2026 forecasts start from a stronger-than-expected finish to 2025, with GDP growth for 2026 projected around 2.1% and potentially subject to upward revision if late-2025 momentum is confirmed. The economy enters the year with solid job creation, which has been steady and even accelerated in recent quarters. Household consumption has also strengthened, highlighted by a sharp pickup at the end of 2025 and a particularly strong contribution from e-commerce. Business investment is another pillar of the expansion, supported by improved financing conditions as earlier ECB rate cuts continue to feed through to activity. Export performance remains constructive despite a difficult global environment, with services, tourism and other service exports, providing much of the dynamism.

Automotive Industry Trend and Outlook

After closing 2024 on a strong note, with one of the best performance among EU countries, the spanish car market opens 2026 with more stable figures. In January 2026, 73,103 units were sold, reporting a 1.1% year-on-year increase. 

Brand-wise, Toyota secured again the leadership (-5.5%) with a 9.7% share, followed by Seat -up 6 spots- in 2nd which secured a 6.9% share (+36.7%). Peugeot -up 6 spots- ranked 3rd with a 6.4% share (+43.6%).

Volkswagen -up 3 spots- ranked 4th (+10.6%), followed Mercedes -up 1 spot- in 5th (+4%). Renault -down 3 spots- ranked in 6th (-18.2%), and Kia -down 5 spots- in 7th (-26.7%).

BMW -up 7 spots- in 8th (+21.7%) followed by Audi -up 3 spots- in 9th (+11%) and in 10th place Skoda -up 6 spots- (+19.1%).

Looking at the best-selling models, reported in a dedicated article, the Peugeot 208 emerged as the best seller, rising 18 spots and 109.3%. The Seat Ibiza ranked 2nd, growing 6 spots and 42.2% while the Seat Arona closed the top 3 (+79.6%). 

EV Market Trend and Outlook

Spain aims at consolidating EV growth, which is already growing quicker than EU averages. In January 2026, sales gained 37.3% to a 39.6% share.

One of the the key initiatives carried out is the Plan Auto+ managed by the Ministry of Industry. It is designed to streamline access to EVs, with €400 million allocated to support direct purchases.

BYD was still the leader, growing 64.4% and with a 31.2% share. Tesla ranked 2nd, up 3 spots and 70.1% while Ebro closed the top 3, increasing by 100% and climbing 4 spots. 

Medium-Term Market Trend

Spain’s auto market posted strong expansion from 2014 to 2019, rising 51.88% as the economy recovered from the 2008 financial crisis, lifting consumer confidence and supporting new-vehicle demand. By 2019, registrations had stabilized at roughly 1.3 million units, but the onset of COVID-19 in 2020 caused a steep 34.6% drop to about 858,000 units, setting a difficult baseline for the years that followed. Passenger-car sales were essentially flat in 2021 at 859,000 units (+0.9%), and 2022 remained challenging. Momentum returned in 2023 with a 17% rebound, followed by continued growth in 2024 (+7.1%), supported by government incentives, a tourism recovery, and improving macroeconomic conditions.

Electrification also accelerated: EV volumes jumped 185% between 2021 and 2023 and grew a further 34.5% in 2024. At the same time, a specific EV sub-segment showed modest softening, with 2,807 units sold in 2024 (-0.8% YoY) before edging up to 2,845 units in 2025 (+1.3% YoY). Over the longer horizon, that sub-segment still reflects an 11.1% average annual decline (AGR) from 2015–2025. Despite intensifying competition from Chinese entrants, European players such as Renault and Dacia continue to invest in EV adoption, reinforcing Spain’s ongoing shift toward electrification.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers’ Groups, and top 10 Models.

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