Gas cars fall below 50% of global new car sales for the first time
12 hours ago
- Gasoline-only vehicles fell to 49% of global new-car sales in the first half of 2026, down from 73% in 2021.
- Hybrids outsold battery-electric vehicles (7.27 million vs 6.87 million) in the same period, meaning about 83% of new cars still have an engine.
- The decline is attributed to oil price spikes from the Middle East conflict, prompting buyers to seek lower running costs.
- China and Europe saw the largest drops in gas car sales, while the US experienced a shift from gas to hybrids rather than EVs due to the end of federal tax credits.
- EV adoption continues to grow globally, especially in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, with few EV buyers returning to gas cars.