Gasoline-Only Cars Fall Below Half of Global New-Car Sales
Gasoline-only vehicles accounted for just 49% of global new-car sales in the first half of 2026, marking the first time their share has fallen below half as electric and hybrid vehicles continue to gain ground.
Gasoline-powered cars have lost their majority share of the global new-car market for the first time since automobiles became widely used. According to data from Mobility Global reported by Nikkei, gasoline-only vehicles accounted for 49% of new-car sales worldwide between January and June 2026. Sales of these vehicles fell 10% year over year to about 20.25 million units, with the figures excluding electrified vehicles such as hybrids.
The decline represents a major change in the global automobile market. Gasoline-only vehicles held about 73% of new-car sales in 2021, meaning their share has dropped by roughly 24 percentage points in just five years. The shift has been particularly noticeable in major automotive markets, with gasoline-car sales falling 26% in China and 13% in Europe during the first half of 2026.
Electric vehicles have been moving in the opposite direction. Global EV sales reached approximately 6.87 million units during the first half of the year, an increase of 12% from the same period in 2025. EVs represented about 17% of global new-car sales, while Europe recorded particularly strong growth, with EV sales increasing 32% to 1.81 million vehicles. In 31 major European countries, electric vehicles also surpassed gasoline-powered cars in sales during the first half.
Higher fuel prices are one factor encouraging consumers to consider alternatives to traditional gasoline vehicles. Rising crude-oil prices and concerns about fuel supplies have increased the cost of running combustion-engine vehicles in several markets. At the same time, falling battery costs and improvements in electric-car technology have made EVs increasingly competitive, while hybrid vehicles continue to attract buyers who want lower fuel consumption without completely abandoning combustion engines.
The milestone does not mean gasoline-powered vehicles are disappearing from the market. In many countries, hybrids and conventional combustion vehicles remain important, while government policies, fuel prices, charging infrastructure and vehicle affordability continue to influence consumer decisions. Nevertheless, the fall of gasoline-only cars below 50% represents an important turning point in the global automotive industry and shows how quickly the market is becoming more diverse as electric and hybrid technologies expand.
