Key facts
- Global gasoline car sales share fell below 50% for the first time due to record fuel prices.
- Gasoline car sales dropped 10% year-on-year to 20.25 million units between January and June.
- EV sales in Europe rose 52.2% in August, with Germany seeing a 75% increase.
- In Germany, one in three passenger cars sold in August was a battery electric vehicle.
- Global EV sales increased by 35% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter.
The global share of new gasoline car sales has dipped below 50% for the first time, a milestone attributed to record-high fuel prices triggered by supply disruptions in the Middle East, particularly the Hormuz crisis. This price shock has significantly accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide, especially in markets outside of China.
Automotive data provider Mobility Global, cited by Nikkei Asia, indicated that the share of gasoline-powered vehicles fell to 49% in the first half of the year. Sales of these vehicles, excluding hybrids, declined by 10% year-on-year to 20.25 million units. While China has long surpassed the 50% mark for hybrid and EV sales, the rest of the world has been slower to transition until recent fuel price spikes.
In Europe, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales saw a substantial increase. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) showed a 52.2% surge in August year-on-year across Europe, including the UK, Switzerland, and Norway. Germany, Europe's largest car market, experienced a 75% year-over-year increase in BEV sales in August, coinciding with record-high gasoline prices. France also saw its EV sales more than double.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global EV sales rebounded sharply in the second quarter, rising 35% from the first quarter, as energy crisis-induced fuel price volatility became a prominent concern. Record-high EV sales were observed in 50 countries during the second quarter. Major markets like Brazil, India, Australia, and Vietnam saw electric car sales roughly double between March and June compared to the same period in 2025.
Analysts at Wood Mackenzie suggest that this accelerated EV adoption, spurred by oil and fuel price spikes, is likely to continue and potentially exceed earlier forecasts. However, significant investments in battery mineral supply chains and charging infrastructure remain critical challenges.