Electric car charging. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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New car registrations in Finland dropped by 3.8 percent between January and July compared to the same period in 2024, despite a modest rise in July.
According to the Finnish Information Centre of the Automobile Sector, a total of 5,419 new passenger cars were registered last month. This marked a 4.4 percent increase from July 2024, but the cumulative figures remain below the previous year.
“The number of new registrations is still lagging behind last year, even though registrations in 2024 were already at a historically low level,” said Tero Lausala, Chief Executive of the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs.
The decline in new registrations reflects ongoing consumer caution and market uncertainty, which have affected automotive sales across several European countries. Higher borrowing costs, weakening consumer confidence and longer vehicle delivery times have also contributed to the subdued market.
Despite the overall drop, one segment continues to expand rapidly. Fully electric vehicles now represent almost one-third of all new passenger car registrations in Finland.
In 2020, just four percent of newly registered cars were electric. By mid-2025, that figure had risen to nearly 33 percent, reflecting a sustained shift in consumer preference and public policy incentives.
Growth in electric vehicle sales has been driven by a combination of government subsidies, infrastructure expansion, and wider model availability. Domestic buyers are also responding to lower operating costs and regulatory pressure on internal combustion engine vehicles.
While full-year projections for total registrations remain below the historical average, industry analysts expect electric vehicle adoption to continue at pace. Finnish charging infrastructure has expanded significantly in the past two years, helping reduce range anxiety and supporting broader access.
No major rebound in overall registrations is forecast for the rest of the year. Automotive retailers remain cautious, focusing on the growing demand for battery-powered cars and hybrid models.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
