What this market covers
Vehicles that run on electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, biofuels or hybrid systems instead of only petrol or diesel. Buyers include households, fleets and public transport operators.
Typical segments
- Battery electric vehicles
- Plug in hybrids
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
- Natural gas vehicles
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +179% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €14.82 billion of products under CN code 87038010 (Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of <10) from outside the EU in 2025. | 14.82 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 87038010 were up 179% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€5.30 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +179 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 87038010 to countries outside the EU were worth €27.95 billion in 2025. | 27.95 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 87038010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €51.10 billion in 2025. | 51.10 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 87038010 to the EU in 2025, with €6.34 billion, or 43% of extra-EU imports. | 6.34 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 87038010 to the United States were €4.01 billion in 2025. | 4.01 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 87038010 was €13.87 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 13.87 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 87038010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €17.26 billion. | 17.26 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,454 enterprises in NACE class C2910 (Manufacture of motor vehicles) in 2022. | 2,454 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2910 had net turnover of €1,000.00 billion in 2023. | 1,000.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2910 employed 1,090,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 1,090,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 624 private establishments in NAICS 336110 (Automobile and light duty motor vehicle manufacturing) in 2025. | 624 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 336110 employed an average of 251,852 people in US private industry in 2025. | 251,852 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 336110 was $109,557 in 2025. | 109,557 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 14816898455
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5303828344; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 14816898455
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 27946446245
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 51099292757
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6344617850
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4011784848
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87038010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 14816898455, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 10686298
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 87038010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 17260495596
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2910, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 2454
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2910, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 1000000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2910, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 1090000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336110, annual_avg_estabs 624
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336110, annual_avg_emplvl 251852
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336110, avg_annual_pay 109557
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Private car buyers
- Fleet operators
- Public transport agencies
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU alternative fuel vehicle market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €14.82 billion of goods under CN 87038010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €27.95 billion.
Where does the EU import alternative fuel vehicle from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Korea, Republic of, Japan, United States.
What is the average import price of alternative fuel vehicle in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €13.87 per kilogram for CN 87038010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most alternative fuel vehicle?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Czechia.
How many US companies are in the alternative fuel vehicle industry?
BLS counts 624 private establishments in NAICS 336110 (Automobile and light duty motor vehicle manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the alternative fuel vehicle industry?
Eurostat counts 2,454 enterprises in NACE class C2910 (Manufacture of motor vehicles).
Ask about this market
Ask about a figure, its source, a definition or the editions. Answers use only what is published on this page and the rest of the site, and link to the original source.
- Where does the 14.82 figure for the Alternative fuel vehicle Market come from?
- How big is the Alternative fuel vehicle Market?
- What does the Alternative fuel vehicle Market cover?
- Who are the largest suppliers in the Alternative fuel vehicle Market?
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