Material Shifts and Trends: A Comprehensive Dataset of European Car Fleet Composition, 1980-2050

The transition to electrified drivetrains fundamentally reshapes material demand and future secondary raw material supply. However, existing vehicle composition data are often fragmented or proprietary. This study presents a harmonized, open-access dataset detailing the material and elemental composition of the European passenger car fleet (M1 category) from 1980 to 2050. Using integrated top-down and bottom-up methodologies, we provide high-resolution data for six drivetrain types and 13 vehicle segments, including crossover utility vehicles and battery-electric models. The dataset links products, components, materials, and elements (p-c-m-e), with standardized alloy specifications and quantified uncertainty. Technical validation confirms high internal consistency, with Pearson correlation coefficients ($r$) between independent modeling approaches exceeding 0.96 for total metal, aluminum, and iron/steel content. This dataset supports robust stock-and-flow modeling and recoverability analysis beyond mass-based indicators. By aligning with emerging regulatory tools like Digital Product Passports, it enables evidence-based resource strategies and circular economy planning for critical and strategic raw materials.