Analysts at the Institute for Automotive Research (IDA) analyzed registration statistics for February 2026 to calculate the exact share of each type of powertrain. After the end of the tax holidays for electric vehicles, the market landscape has changed significantly: we determined which players maintained their positions and which underwent a forced correction under the pressure of new prices. Below is a detailed breakdown of forces in three key segments: from the stable "interior" to the turbulent new car market.
- Check the history of a car by VIN code before buying with CEBIA!
Domestic market
February was a month of absolute calm on the domestic market. Since there is no direct impact of tax changes or new customs rules, the structure of resales has remained virtually unchanged. Owners simply continue to exchange their familiar cars.
Gasoline confidently maintains its leadership, remaining the most popular choice of Ukrainians. Diesel cars and cars with LPG also maintain their positions without significant fluctuations. The slight decline of the electric segment against the background of a symbolic growth in the share of hybrids only confirms that the domestic buyer is not inclined to sudden movements now and prefers solutions that have been proven over the years.
Import of used cars
In the pickup segment, the situation has finally leveled off after last yearʼs hype around electric cars. While last year demand was met 5-7 months ahead of schedule, now there is simply no one to buy (order abroad) electric cars.
Gasoline cars have significantly strengthened their positions, becoming the main choice in the lists of buyers. Interestingly, against the background of a decline in the share of electric cars, interest in hybrid models has begun to grow. This looks like a logical adaptation: people who are already accustomed to the idea of saving and modern technologies, but are not ready to overpay VAT for clean electricity, choose the "golden mean". Diesel has slightly lost its share in this segment, but remains an important part of the import flow.
New cars
The most noticeable changes have occurred in the new car segment. Here we see a real tectonic shift caused by the new tax reality.
The share of electric cars showed a record drop, practically collapsing to the minimum indicators. This vacuum was instantly filled by other types of engines. The biggest beneficiary was hybrids, which showed rapid growth and now occupy a significant part of the new car market. In parallel, demand for classic gasoline and diesel versions increased — the buyer who came for a new car more often chose the usual tank, rather than the socket, in February. This is the strongest change in the market structure in a long period, where hybridization became the main alternative to electrification.
Conclusion
February 2026 clearly demonstrated that the Ukrainian fuel market is a mirror of tax policy. It was worth changing the conditions for one segment, as the entire mechanism was rearranged. We see a confident revenge of traditional types of fuel and the rapid transformation of hybrids from a niche product into a powerful market trend. The market has become more balanced, and the buyerʼs choice is more predictable, focused on autonomy and understandable operating costs in new realities.
- Need more information? — contact us!
