In May 2026, 49,591 new passenger cars were registered in Poland — 6.3% more than a year earlier. Conventional hybrids (HEV + MHEV) already accounted for half of the market, while plug-in hybrid registrations nearly doubled. Battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles moved in the opposite direction, with registrations falling by 29.8% after subsidies under the NaszEauto programme expired. Double-digit growth continued in the van and truck segments.
24 June 2026 · Own analysis based on PZPM data
Private buyers drive the market
The increase in passenger car registrations in May was driven primarily by private demand. Individual buyers received 16,933 vehicles, 16.4% more than a year earlier (+2,389 units). Registrations made by entities with a REGON business identification number totalled 32,658 units and rose by 1.7% (+561 units). Cumulatively, from January to May 2026, individual buyers accounted for more than 34% of the total passenger car market.
Powertrain structure: hybrids dominate
May data confirm a shift in the powertrain mix. Conventional hybrids, with 24,818 registrations, formed the largest group, clearly ahead of petrol-powered cars (14,095 units, virtually unchanged year on year). Plug-in hybrids grew the fastest, rising by 92.5% to 4,601 units. Declines affected diesel vehicles (−16.5%), electric and hydrogen vehicles (−29.8%), and LPG-powered cars (−30.0%).
Powertrain structure of new passenger cars — May 2026 (units)
Registration growth by powertrain — May 2026 (y/y change, %)
| Powertrain (passenger cars, May 2026) | Units | % y/y | Units y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrids (HEV + MHEV) | 24,818 | +12.1% | +2,670 |
| Petrol | 14,095 | −0.2% | −31 |
| Plug-in hybrids (PHEV + EREV) | 4,601 | +92.5% | +2,211 |
| Diesel | 3,020 | −16.5% | −598 |
| Electric and hydrogen vehicles (BEV + FCEV) | 2,015 | −29.8% | −854 |
| LPG | 1,042 | −30.0% | −448 |
| CNG / LNG | 0 | — | 0 |
| Total | 49,591 | +6.3% | +2,950 |
Electric vehicles retreat after subsidy scheme ends
The drop in registrations of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles coincided with the end of the NaszEauto subsidy programme. Although a correction had been expected, its scale — nearly 30% in monthly terms — proved deeper than the market had anticipated. At the same time, the wider alternative-powertrain category remains on a growth path due to the momentum of hybrid and plug-in hybrid registrations.
Commercial vehicles and trucks post double-digit growth
May brought strong results outside the passenger car segment. Registrations of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes rose by 17.0% to 6,195 units, with diesel remaining the main powertrain (5,491 units) and electric and hybrid powertrains more than doubling (+108.2%). In the 3.5–16 tonne truck segment, registrations increased by 24.1% to 314 units, while in the category above 16 tonnes they rose by 19.5% to 2,682 units.
Registration growth by vehicle category — January–May 2026 (y/y change, %)
| Category (January–May 2026) | Units | % y/y | Units y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 253,054 | +7.4% | +17,330 |
| — business registrations / REGON entities (65.2% share) | 165,050 | +5.7% | +8,864 |
| — individual buyers (34.8% share) | 88,004 | +10.6% | +8,466 |
| Light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes | 30,356 | +11.9% | +3,236 |
| Trucks, 3.5–16 tonnes | 1,284 | +21.9% | +231 |
| Trucks above 16 tonnes | 13,582 | +30.0% | +3,134 |
| Buses above 3.5 tonnes | 1,655 | +66.2% | +659 |
| Motorcycles | 27,243 | +42.8% | +8,160 |
| Mopeds | 6,630 | +12.0% | +708 |
Expert commentary
According to Paweł Tuzinek, President of the Polish Car Dealers Association, May maintained the market’s positive direction, with individual buyers building a strong position. Although part of this volume comes from sole proprietorships, the strong growth in private purchases points to the stable financial condition of households and the growing popularity of new market entrants, particularly Chinese brands. In his view, the powertrain mix is showing a deepening shift away from petrol and diesel engines towards hybrid technologies, while the results of the van and truck segments — combined with declining imports of used cars — indicate that the economy remains in good condition.
Jakub Faryś, President of the Polish Automotive Industry Association, noted that although registrations of hybrids and plug-in hybrids are growing dynamically, the number of newly registered electric passenger cars fell by 30% in May. A decline was expected after the NaszEauto programme ended, but its scale came as a surprise. Faryś also highlighted the very strong performance of commercial vehicles: the 3.5–16 tonne segment grew by more than 25%, while registrations above 16 tonnes rose by nearly 20%. He assessed that, if the current pace is sustained, 2026 could be one of the better years for this category.
Conventional hybrids (HEV + MHEV) now account for around half of the passenger car market, while registrations of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles fell by 29.8% in May following the expiry of NaszEauto subsidies.
Key takeaways
- In May 2026, 49,591 new passenger cars were registered, up 6.3% year on year.
- HEV + MHEV hybrids, with 24,818 registrations, accounted for around half of the market, while plug-in hybrid registrations rose by 92.5%.
- Registrations of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles fell by 29.8% after NaszEauto subsidies ended.
- Private demand grew faster than business demand, with individual buyers accounting for more than 34% of the market.
- Light commercial vehicles (+17.0%) and trucks (3.5–16 tonnes: +24.1%; above 16 tonnes: +19.5%) maintained double-digit growth.
The analysis was prepared by PZPM based on data from the Central Vehicle Register (CEP). Own analysis based on PZPM data. Due to rounding, totals may differ slightly from the sum of individual components.
