Subaru will sell only EVs in Europe from 2028

The boxer engine is leaving Europe. Subaru will stop selling every petrol-powered model on the continent by the end of 2027 at the latest, and from 2028 its European showrooms will offer only electric cars. Subaru Germany confirmed the plan to auto motor und sport, and Engadget and Electrek have since picked up the story.

The phase-out, model by model

The E-Outback in our photo is the electric estate that will carry the name on. In the US it is sold as the Trailseeker. According to auto motor und sport, there are no concrete plans to bring the full-hybrid Crosstrek and Forester sold in the US (2.5-litre boxer, 197 PS) to Europe.

Why Subaru is doing it

Subaru points to EU rules. Tougher fleet CO₂ limits and a growing list of mandatory safety and driver-assistance systems make it increasingly hard for a small brand to certify and sell combustion cars in Europe. Engadget notes that since July 2026 all new cars in the EU must have advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) and upgraded emergency braking.

Subaru is a niche player in Europe. Engadget puts its sales last year at about 23,000 cars, roughly 0.2% of the market. That means Subaru spreads the cost of meeting each new rule over very few cars. Still, the Outback, Forester and WRX have loyal followings, and the decision ends the brand's signature boxer engine on the continent.

What it means if you drive one

Existing cars aren't affected: this is about new-car sales. If you want a new petrol Outback, the window is closing this year; for the Impreza, Crosstrek and Forester, it runs through 2027.

Longer term, Subaru wants to rely less on Toyota. A few days ago it showed its first in-house EV platform in a 510 hp prototype, with some of that technology due by 2029. If you're weighing an EV now, our explainer on LFP vs NMC batteries and our home EV charger guide cover the practical side.