Gasoline-only vehicles accounted for 49% of global new-car sales in the first half of 2026, falling below the 50% mark for the first time on record. According to Mobility Global data, their share has dropped significantly from 73% in 2021 as electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids gain popularity worldwide.
Battery-electric vehicles recorded 6.87 million sales during the first half of 2026, marking a 12% year-on-year increase and capturing 17% of the global market. Conventional hybrids sold 7.27 million units, up 10%, accounting for 18% of new-car sales. Despite the shift, around 83% of newly sold vehicles still used some form of combustion engine.
The decline in gasoline-only vehicles accelerated as the global car market contracted by around 5% during the first half of the year. Gasoline-only sales fell from a 52% market share a year earlier to 49%. China recorded a 26% decline in gasoline-only sales, while Europe saw a 13% drop.
Electric vehicle adoption continued to expand across several regions. Battery-electric sales increased by 32% in Europe to 1.81 million units and surged 81% in Southeast Asia to 350,000 units. Sales in Oceania more than doubled to approximately 110,000 vehicles.
Rising fuel prices and lower running costs are also encouraging consumers to consider electric and hybrid vehicles. Although gasoline-powered cars remain a significant part of the global market, the growing share of hybrids and EVs highlights a broader shift in consumer demand and the automotive industry’s direction.