In Belgium, more than half of new cars now electric
Fully electric cars accounted for 50.9 per cent of new registrations in September.
For the first time, fully electric cars made up more than half of newly registered passenger cars in Belgium. According to figures for September, the share reached 50.9 per cent, while the car fleet as a whole remains much less electrified.
The figures come from FEBIAC, the Belgian federation of the automotive and two-wheeler industry, based on data from the federal mobility service. In August, fully electric cars still accounted for 46.2 per cent.
The figures concern new registrations in a single month, not all the cars driving in Belgium. Over the first nine months of 2026, fully electric cars accounted for 39.1 per cent, according to EV Belgium.
Belgium’s car market recorded 32,124 new passenger cars in September, trade publication Fleet reported, based on the same registration figures. Total registrations were therefore slightly higher than a year earlier, while the share of electric powertrains rose clearly.
The shift is particularly relevant to the company-car and leasing market, which plays a major role in Belgium. New tax rules and employers’ choices can therefore quickly become visible in the monthly registration figures, without private households switching at the same pace.
Statbel previously reported that, on 1 August 2026, hybrid and electric powertrains together made up 24.4 per cent of Belgium’s passenger-car fleet. The car fleet changes much more slowly than new-car sales, because petrol and diesel cars continue to be driven for many years.
For car manufacturers, importers and charging-point providers, the development is a signal that demand in Belgium can shift quickly. At the same time, the market remains sensitive to tax rules, the availability of charging points, purchase prices and whether used electric cars become affordable enough.
Belgium’s breakthrough therefore says above all something about the composition of car sales in September. The country does not yet have an electric car fleet; the coming years will show how quickly new registrations feed through into overall traffic.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- In September 2026, 50.9 per cent of newly registered Belgian passenger cars were fully electric.
- The figure concerns a single month and not the entire car fleet.
- On 1 August 2026, hybrid and electric cars together accounted for 24.4 per cent of Belgium’s passenger-car fleet.
- Over the first nine months, fully electric new cars accounted for 39.1 per cent.
Left
Arguments The rapid growth shows that policy and tax incentives can accelerate the shift to cleaner transport. The next step should be to make electric cars accessible to lower-income groups and residents without their own driveways as well.
Values Climate justice, affordability, air quality and public infrastructure.
Consequences More charging points and social schemes could broaden the transition; without such measures, electric driving will remain particularly attractive to company-car users and higher-income groups.
Centre
Arguments The figures are encouraging, but should be read as market data rather than proof that mobility as a whole has already changed. Policy should support the transition without imposing an unfeasible pace on consumers or businesses.
Values Pragmatism, affordability, freedom of choice and feasibility.
Consequences A gradual approach can preserve public support, but insufficient infrastructure or uncertain tax policy could slow growth.
Right
Arguments The market already appears to be moving towards electric vehicles, particularly when companies and consumers see a clear financial advantage. The government should mainly ensure reliable infrastructure and take a restrained approach to new bans or charges.
Values Freedom of choice, enterprise, affordability and limited government intervention.
Consequences Competition can improve prices and technology; abrupt regulation could disproportionately affect households with older cars and small businesses.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key figures were checked against FEBIAC and an independent trade publication. The text corrects possible confusion between new registrations and the total car fleet by stating both figures separately.
- confirmed Fully electric cars accounted for 50.9 per cent of new registrations in September 2026. — Mentioned in FEBIAC’s monthly figures. source
- confirmed The share was 46.2 per cent in August. — Mentioned by FEBIAC in the same publication. source
- confirmed In the first nine months of 2026, the share was 39.1 per cent. — Mentioned by EV Belgium, based on FEBIAC figures. source
- confirmed On 1 August, hybrid and electric powertrains accounted for 24.4 per cent of Belgium’s passenger-car fleet. — Mentioned by Statbel. source
- confirmed In September, 32,124 new passenger cars were registered. — Mentioned by FLEET, based on the registration figures. source
Editor's note
The 50.9 per cent concerns new registrations in September, not the entire Belgian car fleet. The registration figures come from FEBIAC and federal mobility data; the context on the car fleet comes from Statbel.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „belgië elektrische auto’s”
- De Telegraaf — „belgië elektrische auto’s”
- Trouw — „belgië elektrische auto’s”