In the first half of 2026, gasoline-only vehicles accounted for 49% of global new car sales, marking the first time this figure has dropped below 50%. This represents a significant decline from 73% in 2021. According to Mobility Global, sales of gasoline-only cars fell by 10% year-over-year to 20.25 million units.
Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales grew by 12% to 6.87 million units, capturing a 17% market share. Conventional hybrids saw a 10% increase, reaching 7.27 million units or 18% of the market. The overall global car market contracted by approximately 5% during the same period.
Regional data highlights varying trends. BEV sales in Europe rose by 32% to 1.81 million units, while in Southeast Asia they grew by 81% to 350,000. Oceania saw BEV sales more than double to 110,000 units. Conversely, China experienced a 3% decline in BEV sales to 3.44 million units, and North America saw a 15% drop.
In the United States, the market shows different dynamics. Cox Automotive reports that third-quarter EV sales are expected to reach approximately 239,000 units, a 45% decrease from 437,000 units a year ago. Ford specifically reported an 80% drop in EV sales for the quarter, though hybrid volume in the US increased by 23%.
