acf domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/ecg/ecgassociationdev/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121ACEA — 2026-04-29
News from Brussels
The European commercial vehicle market started 2026 on a positive note, with performance varying across segments. While growth in the van and truck segments reflects a recovery from a low base, the bus segment stands out with robust momentum at the start of the year. Meanwhile, the overall share of electrically-chargeable vehicles is rising, but progress remains too slow, with market uptake still constrained by insufficient enabling conditions.
New EU van sales grew by 2.3%, with mixed results across the four largest markets. Spain recorded the strongest increase (+13%), followed by France (+3.7%). Conversely, Germany and Italy saw declines of 9% and 1.7%, respectively.
New EU truck registrations also increased by 10.7%, totalling 81,766 units. This growth was predominantly driven by a 12.6% surge in heavy-truck sales, alongside a more modest 0.7% increase in medium-truck registrations. Among the major markets, Poland (+32.8%) and Spain (+17.1%) posted double digit gains, followed by Germany (+6.9%). In contrast, France experienced a decline of 1.4% compared to Q1 2025.
New EU bus sales increased by 24.5%, amounting to 10,964 units. Among major markets, Germany recorded a strong increase (+34.7%), followed by Italy (+23.7%) and France (+22%). On the other hand, Spain recorded a decline (-6.2%), whereas Poland recorded a notable increase of 62.6%.
Vans
Diesel remains the preferred choice for new van buyers in the EU, although registrations declined (-0.8%) to 288,484 units, bringing its market share down to 80% (from 82.5% in Q1 2025). Electrically-chargeable vans grew by 42%, capturing 12% market share, an increase from 8.7% in the first quarter of 2025. Petrol models decreased by 27.1%, reducing their market share to 3.7% (down from 5.2%). Hybrid van registrations also rose by 42.1%. However, they only accounted for a 3.5% of the EU market.
Trucks
Diesel maintained its dominance in the truck market in the first quarter of 2026. Diesel trucks accounted for 92.4% of new EU registrations, up 11%. Electrically-chargeable trucks grew by 40.1%, securing 4.4% of the market (from 3.5% last year). France (+66.3%) and Germany (+58.9%) led this expansion, whereas the Netherlands (-1.3%) saw a decline. Together, these markets represented 71% of total registrations for this segment.
Buses
New EU electrically-chargeable bus registrations surged by 36%, with its market share increasing from 20% in Q1 2025 to 21.8%. Italy, the second largest market by total registrations, recorded particularly strong growth (+161.2%). Diesel bus registrations also increased by 24.8%, holding a 65.7% market share. By contrast, hybrid-electric bus registrations experienced a decline of 10.6%, accounting now for 5.1% of the market.