According to sales data issued on Friday by a trade association, nearly one in every five vehicles sold in the European Union in the third quarter was an electrified model, as sales of electric vehicles continued to rise while sales of fossil-fuel vehicles fell.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA, which represents major European car, truck, van, and bus manufacturers, battery-electric and plug-in hybrid model sales made up just under 19 percent of all sales across the European Union.

But it compares with a 35% drop in sales for petrol cars – which still are the biggest sellers and account for nearly 40% of overall sales – and a more than 50% drop for diesel cars during the quarter.

Less than a decade ago, diesel cars made up more than 50% of sales in the EU but accounted for under 18% of all cars sold in the third quarter. As well as having to meet stringent new EU carbon emissions targets, carmakers and consumers have benefited from government subsidies for electric vehicles.