It’s historic: gasoline car sales drop below a symbolic threshold

This represents a highly symbolic turning point for the automotive industry. In the first half of 2026, gasoline-powered cars accounted for 49% of global new vehicle sales, down from 73% in 2021. This dramatic decline is driven by the growth of electric vehicles, but especially hybrid cars. After all, internal combustion engines are still a long way from disappearing...

For decades, gasoline has dominated the global automotive market almost unchallenged. But the situation is changing rapidly now. Data from Mobility Global, as reported by Nikkei Asia, shows that vehicles powered exclusively by gasoline fell below an unprecedented threshold during the first six months of 2026.

A 73% to 49% decline in gasoline use over five years

Between January and June 2026, 20.25 million gasoline-powered cars were sold worldwide. This represents a 10% decline year over year and only 49% of the global market. A year earlier, their share was still 52%. The decline is even more significant when viewed on a broader scale. In 2021, nearly 73% of new cars sold globally fell into this category.

In just five years, gasoline-powered cars have lost 24 percentage points in market share. Not surprisingly, China plays a major role in this trend. Sales of gasoline cars there dropped by 26% in the first half of the year. Europe is also affected, with a 13% decline.

Electric cars are advancing, but hybrids are performing better

One might think that electric cars are the main drivers of this shift. Indeed, they contribute significantly: 6.87 million fully electric models were sold in the first half of the year, 12% more than a year earlier. They now account for 17% of global sales.

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But another type of vehicle performs even better in terms of volume. With 7.27 million units and 18% of the market share, hybrids (HEV) slightly surpass electric vehicles. Their sales increased by 10% over the past year. However, the momentum for electric vehicles varies greatly by region. Sales surged by 32% in Europe and 81% in Southeast Asia, while they declined by 15% in North America... But we know why!

Internal combustion engines still dominate

This 50% threshold should still be viewed with caution. The statistics refer only to vehicles that are 100% gasoline-powered. However, hybrids still have an internal combustion engine, as do plug-in hybrids. Diesel models are added to this list as well. Only 100% electric vehicles, which account for 17% of global sales in the first half of the year, completely eliminate the need for a combustion engine. Thus, 83% of new cars sold still have one.

But rather than a sudden shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles, the figures show a global market undergoing a gradual transition, with hybridization currently playing a central role.