Albania had the highest level of new vehicle sales among countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA), a recent World Bank report for the region found.
Albania has recorded one of the largest increases in new car registrations per 1,000 inhabitants in Europe and Central Asia during 2024, compared to 2016. The difference between the two periods is much more pronounced than in most countries in the region.
While countries like Bosnia, Bulgaria or Romania have remained with low sales rates, Albania has come close to countries like Croatia and Poland in terms of the number of new car registrations per capita.
On the other hand, data in Turkey shows that sales of hybrid and electric cars are growing rapidly, pushing the market towards cleaner vehicles. For 2025, the share of these vehicles in total sales has increased significantly compared to the previous year, while diesel cars have suffered a continuous decline.
The average age of cars in Albania is among the highest in Europe. Many drivers are replacing older vehicles with newer, more economical and less polluting models, especially due to rising fuel and maintenance costs.
In recent years, the government has made several changes to taxes on hybrid and electric vehicles, offering exemptions or reductions in customs duties.
In parallel, international prices of used cars (especially from the EU) have been lower after the pandemic, making imports more favorable.
The growth of tourism, especially after 2021, has also directly impacted the demand for cars, especially from the fleets of companies operating in the rental sector.
Due to the problems with public transportation, the taxi business has evolved a lot in recent years. This business, especially in Tirana, has expanded rapidly with fleets of hybrid or electric cars.
The demand for taxi services increased, especially for transfers from the airport to the capital or to other tourist destinations where public transportation is not available. For the same reasons, the car rental business has also flourished in our country.
The lack of rail transport and the country's strong geographical fragmentation have led many tourists and immigrants, when coming to our country, to resort to renting vehicles.
Despite the growth in recent years, Albania still has a low level of motorization compared to other European countries./ Monitor
