Swiss electric car share rises to 35.7 per cent in September. The importers’ association auto-schweiz reported this in early October. More than one in three new cars was therefore fully electric. In total, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein recorded 21,948 new passenger cars.
The association names fuel prices as the most important driver. Geopolitical crises and strained supply chains have pushed prices to record highs, according to auto-schweiz. Therefore, more buyers are apparently recalculating the running costs of an electric car.
Record share of fully electric new cars
Fully electric cars reached a market share of 35.7 per cent in September. For the first time they thus accounted for more than a third of new registrations. Since the start of the year their share stands at 26.2 per cent.
The monthly figure therefore lies well above the annual average. This points to an acceleration in the second half of the year. However, auto-schweiz gives no change for the month of September alone.
Plug-in hybrids lose market share
Plug-in hybrids reached 10.3 per cent in September. That is their lowest monthly figure this year. Cumulatively since January they hold 11.5 per cent.
Together, 46 per cent of all new passenger cars could be charged electrically. The shares of BEV and PHEV add up exactly to this value. The trend is therefore shifting clearly towards the pure battery car.
What the record means for the Swiss car market
The overall market nevertheless remains weak. Since the start of the year the gain stands at 2.7 per cent year on year. However, auto-schweiz itself describes this previous year as very weak.
The record share of electric cars therefore arises in a small market. Dealers and fleet operators are thus not automatically selling more vehicles. Instead, the powertrain mix is shifting within a subdued volume.
For the importers this changes their planning. They must order battery models and combustion cars in parallel, although total volume stagnates. In addition, every month with a high BEV share ties up extra workshop capacity and training effort.
Fuel prices and the charging network as a location factor
Thomas Rücker, director of auto-schweiz, calls the development pleasing. At the same time he warns: “The costs of mobility must fall significantly.” He also demands: “The public and businesses must not be left alone with this.”
Rücker refers to commuters and the transport sector. Both bear the high energy costs directly. In his account, relief programmes are still lacking.
For fleet operators the gap between fuel and electricity prices matters most. If fuel prices rise sharply, an electric car pays off faster. Yet if they fall again, the calculation tips back just as quickly.
Electromobility roadmap lags behind the projections
Despite the record month, a gap remains open. According to Rücker, the ramp-up lags a quarter behind the projections of Roadmap 2025. He therefore calls for better framework conditions quickly.
For the industry this means the market moves faster than politics. Price signals at the pump apparently work more strongly than political targets. Whether the trend holds, however, depends on fuel prices, electricity prices and the charging network.
How high was the electric car share in Switzerland in September 2026?
Fully electric cars reached 35.7 per cent of new registrations. That was more than a third for the first time.
How many new passenger cars were registered in September 2026?
auto-schweiz counted 21,948 new registrations. The figure covers Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Why is demand for electric cars rising in Switzerland?
According to auto-schweiz, record fuel prices are driving demand. Geopolitical crises and strained supply chains make fuel more expensive.
Where do plug-in hybrids stand in the Swiss market?
They reached only 10.3 per cent in September. That is their lowest monthly figure of the year. Since January they stand at 11.5 per cent.
What does this mean for the electromobility roadmap?
According to director Thomas Rücker, the ramp-up lags a quarter behind the projections. He therefore calls for better framework conditions.
