Share of gasoline cars in global sales falls to 49% for the first time — OilPrice

In the first half of 2026, the share of new cars powered only by gasoline engines in global sales fell below 50% for the first time, reaching 49%. As OilPrice reports, sales of such vehicles declined by 10% in January–June compared with the same period last year, to 20.25 million units.

Growing demand for electric vehicles

According to data from automotive analytics company Mobility Global, cited by Nikkei Asia, the share of gasoline cars excluding hybrids fell by three percentage points over the year. OilPrice links this trend to a surge in oil, gasoline and diesel fuel prices amid the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz.

Sales of battery electric vehicles in Europe, including in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway, rose by 52.2% year on year in August, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. In Germany, sales of such cars increased by 75%, while in France they more than doubled.

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Figures for Germany and other markets

The German Institute for Economic Research reported that from January through August, every fourth passenger car sold in Germany was fully electric. In August, such vehicles already accounted for one-third of sales. By comparison, their average share in 2025 was 19%.

The International Energy Agency noted in July that global electric vehicle sales grew by 35% in the second quarter compared with the first quarter. In Brazil, India, Australia and Vietnam, electric car sales in March–June approximately doubled compared with the corresponding period in 2025. At the same time, the need for investment in charging infrastructure and supplies of critical minerals for batteries may hinder the acceleration of the transition to electric transport.