Mobility Global, the data firm formerly known as S&P Global Mobility, put gasoline-only cars at 49% of the world’s new-vehicle sales between January and June, against 52% a year earlier. Nikkei reported the figures first. It is the first time on record the category has been under half.
Global new-car sales by powertrain in H1 2026
| Powertrain | H1 2026 sales (million) | Change on H1 2025 | Share (%) | 2021 share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline-only | 20.25 | -10% | 49 | 73 |
| Conventional hybrid | 7.27 | +10% | 18 | n/a |
| Battery-electric | 6.87 | +12% | 17 | n/a |
The three rows add up to 84%. Electrek says the rest is diesel, plug-in hybrids and a few minor fuels.
How many new cars still have an engine
The 49% counts gasoline-only cars. Hybrids still burn fuel, and Electrek counts about 83% of new vehicles sold in the half as having an engine. The figures cover January to June only, so the full-year share is not yet known. Only the gasoline-only share was reported for 2021.
Gasoline-only and battery-electric sales by region
China had the steepest drop in gasoline-only sales at 26%, followed by Europe at 13%. The International Energy Agency put the total car market about 5% lower in the half.
| Region | BEV sales H1 2026 (million) | Change on H1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| China | 3.44 | -3% |
| Europe | 1.81 | +32% |
| Southeast Asia | 0.35 | +81% |
| Oceania | 0.11 | more than doubled |
| North America | n/a | -15% |
