Skoda Elroq Overtakes Tesla Model Y as Europe's Best-Selling Electric Vehicle
In January 2026, Skoda's Elroq topped European EV sales with 8,426 units, surpassing Tesla's Model Y and Renault's surging 5 E-Tech (up 70.4%). Overall EV registrations…
Electric vehicle sales in Europe maintained their upward trajectory in January 2026, rising 13.9% to 189,062 units. However, this growth represented a sharp slowdown from the 29.7% increase recorded across 2025, when more than two million units were sold. The tempered pace has raised concerns about meeting the European Union's strict 2027 CO2 emission target of 93.6 g/km, which will be based on averages from 2025, 2026, and 2027. Experts indicate that the EV market share must reach at least 22% to sidestep substantial fines, yet it stood at 19.3% in the EU for January.
Growth was most robust in markets like Croatia, which surged 100%, and Poland, which jumped 216.1%. All major economies—Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Spain—also saw increases, with France leading at 52.1% and the UK posting a slim 0.1% gain.
The Skoda Elroq claimed the top spot among EVs for the month, with 8,426 units sold, displacing the Tesla Model Y. The Model Y still grew 13.8% year-over-year but slipped behind. The Renault 5 E-Tech also surpassed the Model Y, thanks to a strong 70.4% rise. Other standout performers in the top 10 included the newly launched Mercedes-Benz CLA, which debuted in ninth place following its early 2025 introduction, and the BMW iX1, up 9.9%.
Several models experienced declines, including the Kia EV3, which fell 39.1% to tenth place; the Skoda Enyaq, down 19.7% to seventh despite a recent update—potentially undercut by the Elroq; and Volkswagen's ID.4 and ID.7, which dropped 32.1% and 19.7% to fifth and sixth, respectively. The ID.3 remained stable in fourth.
Among brands, Volkswagen held onto first place with 17,230 units, despite a 16% decline. Renault followed in second with 14,447 units, up 64% on the strength of its 5, 4, and Scenic models. Skoda rose to third with 14,022 units, a 91% increase. Tesla fell to tenth with 7,794 units, down 17%. A highlight was BYD, which entered eighth place with 8,711 units and a 94% gain—the largest growth among the top 10 brands.