29.10.2026 20:49
Japanese automotive giant Subaru is preparing to switch entirely to electric cars by completely ending gasoline vehicle sales in Europe by 2028. With the decision, which also covers popular models such as the Forester and Crosstrek, Subaru will become the first Japanese automaker to end gasoline vehicle sales in a specific market. Europe's tightening emissions rules and rising costs were influential in the company's move.
Japanese automaker Subaru is preparing for a fundamental change in the European market. The company plans to completely end gasoline car sales by 2028 and focus exclusively on electric vehicles. If the decision is implemented, Subaru will become the first Japanese automaker to completely abandon gasoline car sales in a specific region.
GASOLINE MODELS WILL BE PHASED OUT
Subaru is preparing to gradually reduce its gasoline car sales in Europe starting next year. As existing stocks run out, sales of models with internal combustion engines will also end.
This change will also include the cars with horizontally opposed boxer engines that have become the brand's symbol. In particular, the Forester and Crosstrek SUV models are among the vehicles affected by the transformation in Europe.
Unlike Japan and some other markets, Subaru does not offer full hybrid models in Europe and will focus directly on electric vehicles in this region.
FULL TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN 2028
According to the company's plan, gasoline car sales in Europe will end completely by 2028. Thus, Subaru will consist solely of electric models in its product range in the European market.
Previously, Nissan and Honda had also announced plans to sell only electric vehicles in Europe and China, but later abandoned these goals.
If Subaru implements its plan, other Japanese automakers are expected to reconsider their European strategies.
EUROPE'S NEW EMISSION RULES WERE INFLUENTIAL IN THE DECISION
One of the most important reasons behind Subaru's move toward this decision was the increasingly tightening environmental regulations in Europe.
Euro 7 emission standards, which will apply to all new cars, including existing models, starting in November 2027, will impose new obligations on manufacturers.
In addition, requirements for carbon dioxide emissions will become even stricter by 2030. Automakers that want to comply with the new rules will need to make additional investments in engine technologies and emission systems.
For Subaru, the cost of these investments poses a significant burden due to its limited sales volume in Europe.
EUROPEAN SALES ARE BELOW 3% OF THE TOTAL
Subaru sold approximately 23,000 cars in Europe in the fiscal year ending last March.
The company's worldwide sales in the same period reached 890,000 vehicles. European sales accounted for less than 3% of total sales.
The low sales volume in the European market and the costs of complying with increasingly stringent emission regulations were decisive in the company's decision to invest in electric models instead of gasoline cars.
ELECTRIC CAR SALES ARE RISING AGAIN
Demand for electric cars in Europe has also begun to rise again. Rising oil prices have been influential in drivers turning to electric models.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, electric car sales in September increased by 60% compared with the same period last year.
According to the published data, the share of electric cars in sales reached 31%, while the share of gasoline cars was 18%. Hybrid cars reached a share of 34%.
SUBARU'S FUTURE IN EUROPE IS CHANGING
The transformation Subaru plans means the end of the brand's long-standing gasoline engine tradition in Europe.
The Japanese manufacturer, known especially for its boxer engine technology, aims to become a brand offering only electric vehicles in Europe by 2028.
This step by the company also reveals how tightening environmental rules in Europe are changing automakers' product and sales strategies.