February 2026 Mobility & Consumption Minute: electric accelerates, running takes hold
Every month, the Mobility Minute and the Consumption Minute explore two major trends transforming consumer behaviour in France and across Europe.
Presented by Flavien Neuvy, economist and Director of the Cetelem Observatory, these two analyses provide a one-minute overview of the developments shaping the mobility and consumer markets.
The Mobility Minute of February 2026
Two signals stand out in February 2026:
- The electric car crosses a new threshold in Europe, without dethroning the hybrid
- Running establishes itself as a mass phenomenon and a genuine market
Mobility Minute: 1.9 million electric cars registered in Europe
In 2025, 1.9 million electric vehicles were registered across Europe 17.4% of total sales, and a rise of 30% on 2024.
But the dominant powertrain remains the hybrid, at 44% of registrations.
Key takeaways
– 1.9 million electric cars registered in Europe in 2025
– 17.4% of total sales, up 30% year on year
– Germany leads on volume with 545,000 registrations
– Poland records the strongest growth, at +160%
– hybrids still dominate the market with 44% of registrations
To understand why the gaps between European countries are so wide, and what the dominance of hybrids reveals about the real pace of the transition:
Discover the latest Auto 2026 study by the Cetelem Observatory
With this new 2026 edition, if we observe a worrying situation, we identify five levers that could create a healthy rebound in the automotive sector. An obligation, as the economic and social stakes are so high
The Consumption Minute of February 2026
Running, 12.5 million participants and €550 per runner
Running confirms its status as a mass phenomenon in France: 12.5 million regular participants, of whom 8 million run at least once a week.
Behind the activity lies a market: each runner spends an average of €550 a year.
Key takeaways
– 12.5 million regular participants, 8 million of them every week
– 48% of participants are women
– more than 11,000 races organised each year, for 3 million finishers
– €550 in average annual spending per runner
– €150 to €200 for a pair of shoes, replaced at least once a year
To understand what structures this economy, why participation is becoming more female, and what running says about consumer trade-offs:
Find the new 2026 Consumer Study from the Cetelem Observatory
As early as 2016, we were interested in seniors with a study entitled “Towards the golden age of the silver economy?”. At the time, we were far from suspecting that the decline in the birth rate would accelerate to such an extent and that the question of demographic ageing would be so acute 10 years later.
Find out about the latest Consumption study.
FAQ – Mobility and consumer markets, February 2026
- What is the market share of the electric car in Europe in 2025?
Electric cars accounted for 17.4% of total registrations in Europe in 2025, with 1.9 million vehicles sold. - Which country recorded the strongest growth in electric sales?
Poland, with growth of 160% in 2025, although its market share remains at 9%. - Which powertrain dominates the European car market?
Hybrid vehicles dominate, with 44% of registrations, ahead of petrol at 26% and diesel at less than 9%. - How many people in France go running?
12.5 million people in France run regularly, 8 million of them at least once a week. - What does a runner spend on average?
A runner spends an average of €550 a year, mainly on equipment, including €150 to €200 for a pair of shoes. - Is running becoming more female? Women now represent 48% of participants, according to the Observatoire Cetelem de BNP Paribas Personal Finance.
- Where can I find the detailed analyses?
Both full analyses are published on the Observatoire Cetelem website, in the Automotive and Consumption sections.
