Private Leasing Surged 25 Percent in 2025 – Electric Cars Dominate the Rankings
3 April 2026 · Editorial
Private Leasing Surged 25 Percent in 2025
Sweden's car market stagnated during 2025 with only 1.3 percent growth, but private leasing tells a completely different story. According to a new report from Volkswagen Financial Services, private leasing exploded with 25 percent growth, with 52,284 new contracts signed during the year – an increase of 10,500 contracts compared to 2024. It's a development that has brought private leasing back to levels from the early 2020s, before interest rate hikes took their toll.
This market growth is driven largely by lower interest rates. After years of elevated mortgage rates and loan costs, interest rate cuts have made private leasing more attractive to Swedish car consumers. Combined with growing environmental awareness and improved technology, these factors have created the perfect environment for the private leasing market.
Electric Vehicles Dominate the Rankings
The most striking finding from the report is the absolute dominance of electric vehicles. Seven of the ten most popular private leasing cars were electric vehicles during 2025 – an increase from five of ten the previous year. It demonstrates a radical shift in consumer preferences in a short timeframe.
Here are the ten most popular private leasing cars during 2025:
- 1. Kia EV3 (electric)
- 2. Volkswagen ID.3 (electric)
- 3. Volkswagen T-ROC (gasoline/hybrid)
- 4. Volvo EX40 (electric)
- 5. Volkswagen ID.4 (electric)
- 6. Volvo EX30 (electric)
- 7. Audi A3 (gasoline/hybrid)
- 8. Dacia Sandero (gasoline/hybrid)
- 9. Škoda Enyaq (electric)
- 10. Mercedes-Benz EQA (electric)
The Kia EV3 takes first place, a compact electric vehicle that combines price, practicality, and range in a way that resonates with Swedish private leasing customers. The Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 also hold high positions, along with the Volvo EX40 and EX30, showcasing the strength of Swedish brands in the electric vehicle market.
Electric Vehicles Take Over Private Financing
The statistics become even more impressive when looking at the broader private vehicle financing market. A full 59 percent of all privately financed vehicles were electric or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) during 2025 – a new record level. This shows that private leasing is not just a trend among a handful of early adopters, but represents a structural shift in how Sweden chooses to drive.
Corporate Leasing Grows, Almost Entirely Electrified
Corporate leasing continues to dominate – 94 percent of all leasing was for corporate use. Even more interesting is that 90 percent of all corporate leased vehicles were electric. This demonstrates that Swedish companies have simply accepted electric drive as the standard for their vehicle fleets. Lower operating costs, well-developed charging infrastructure, and environmental considerations combine to make electric vehicles the natural choice for companies renewing their vehicle pools.
What Does This Mean for You Looking at Private Leasing in 2026?
If you're considering private leasing in 2026, the news is good. The expanded selection of electric vehicles with competitive pricing and continued low interest rates create a favorable market for consumers. More models to choose from and declining electric vehicle prices make it easier to find a private leasing solution that fits your budget and needs.
Private leasing is returning to the levels from a few years ago – and this time with a much more attractive and environmentally friendly vehicle selection to choose from.