Subaru to end petrol car sales in Europe by 2028
Subaru will stop selling internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by the end of 2027, shifting to an all-electric lineup from 2028 in response to stringent EU regulations.
Subaru will end internal combustion engine sales in Europe by the end of 2027 and sell only electric vehicles from 2028. The move is a direct response to tightening European Union environmental regulations and new safety standards, which make recertifying older engines and upgrading vehicle architecture prohibitively costly for the niche automaker.
Subaru's European sales represented under 3% of its global total, with just 23,000 vehicles sold in the last financial year. The company will begin reducing petrol-model sales next year, selling remaining stock until it runs out. Nikkei Asia said: "Subaru is preparing to end petrol car sales in Europe and offer only electric vehicles (EVs) there from as early as 2028."
EV model strategy
From 2028, Subaru's European lineup will be reshaped into three electric models. All are co-developed with Toyota and share platforms with corresponding Toyota vehicles.
| Subaru Model | Toyota Platform Partner |
|---|---|
| Solterra | bZ4X |
| E-Outback | bZ4X Touring |
| Uncharted | C-HR+ |
The first model to be discontinued is the current Outback wagon, with European sales ending at the close of this year. Subaru plans to expand its EV lineup next year with a three-row electric SUV called the Getaway, which is a rebadged version of Toyota's Highlander BEV.
Hybrid transition in Europe
The shift to full electric means phasing out hybrid models. The hybrid versions of the Impreza, Crosstrek, and Forester are set to stop being sold after 2027. These three models currently use a mild-hybrid system based on a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed boxer engine producing 136 horsepower.
This decision applies only to Europe. In the United States, Subaru will continue selling the Crosstrek and Forester with a 2.5-litre full hybrid boxer engine. Subaru does not currently offer full-hybrid vehicles in the European market but has left open the possibility of introducing them in the future, without announcing specific plans.
Technology and market context
Subaru recently showed its first in-house EV technology, including a dedicated platform, new batteries, electric motors, and an integrated control unit for over-the-air updates. The company plans to apply some of this new technology to mass-produced vehicles from around 2029. A disguised Outback test vehicle equipped with this tech delivered 509 horsepower with all-wheel drive, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in under 4 seconds.
The regulatory pressure is significant. The EU's Euro 7 emissions regime, covering all new cars from November 2027, introduces stricter rules for brakes, tyres, battery durability, and lifetime monitoring. Also, EU carbon dioxide requirements will tighten again in 2030. This comes as EV sales in Europe rose 60% year-on-year in a recent month, with electric vehicles making up 31% of new car sales.
Subaru will begin phasing out petrol models starting next year, with remaining combustion vehicles sold until stock depletes.
