Petrol car sales fall below 50% of global market for the first time

In H1 2026, petrol cars accounted for less than half of global new-vehicle sales for the first time, dropping to 49% from 73% in 2021. Petrol sales fell 10% to 20.25 million units, while EV sales rose 12% to 6.87 million, or 17% of the market.

• Petrol car share fell 3 points to 49%, down from 73% in 2021
• Petrol vehicle sales dropped 10% to 20.25 million units
• EV sales rose 12% to 6.87 million, taking 17% of the market
• Petrol sales fell 26% in China and 13% in Europe