China's wholesale new energy vehicle sales reached an estimated 1.67 million units in September 2026, marking the highest monthly volume of the year, according to the CPCA.
China's NEV retail sales dropped 9% to 596,000 units in the first 20 days of September, yet they continued to outperform the broader passenger car market, which saw a 22% decline.
The CPCA expects China's September NEV retail sales to hit 1.11 million units, with market penetration reaching a record 65.7% despite a broader decline in the automotive sector.
Passenger NEV retail sales in China reached 362,000 units in early September, while market penetration climbed to 70.3% amid declining gasoline vehicle demand.
China has already exceeded its 2025 annual car export record in just eight months, driven by a surge in demand for New Energy Vehicles.
Retail sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 150 000 units in the first week of September, while their market penetration rose to 71.5 percent.
BYD dominated China's passenger NEV exports in August with a 35.4% market share, while Tesla China's share dropped to 7.0%.
China has introduced a new national standard easing dimension limits for smart-vehicle sensors and increasing axle loads for commercial NEVs.
