New commercial vehicle registrations: vans 2.3%, trucks 10.7%, buses 24.5% in Q1 2026

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%.

New commercial vehicles by power source

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.

About ACEA

• The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) is the Brussels-based trade association of the 17 major car, van, truck and bus producers in Europe
• The ACEA commercial vehicle members are DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, TRATON GROUP (MAN Truck & Bus, Scania Group), and Volvo Group
• Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/
  

Contact:

• Pedro Gomes Nogueira, Automotive Intelligence Manager, [email protected], +32 (0) 2 738 73 55
• Camille Lamarque, Media Relations Manager, [email protected], +32 (0) 2 738 73 16

About the EU automobile industry

• 13.6 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 8.1% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €414.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €93.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Over 8% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €84.6 billion in R&D spending annually, 34% of EU total