According to an analysis of global new energy vehicles for the first half of 2026 released by the Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association, global new energy passenger vehicle sales reached 11.22 million units between January and June of this year, representing a 13% year-on-year increase. In June alone, new energy vehicle sales totaled 2.38 million units, up 25%, returning to historical normal growth levels.
The share of broad new energy vehicles in the global automotive market reached 31.4% in the first half of 2026. Battery electric vehicles accounted for 16.3% of total car sales, plug-in hybrids reached 7.1%, and hybrids performed strongly at 8%. China's share of the global new energy passenger vehicle market was 68.3% in 2025, which moderated to 62% in the first half of 2026.
In the global battery electric vehicle market, China held a 58% share in 2026, while in the global plug-in hybrid market, it achieved a commanding 71% share, demonstrating exceptional strength. Chinese-brand new energy passenger vehicles captured a 15.8% share of overseas markets in 2025, a significant increase. This share rose substantially to 26.5% in June 2026, marking another sharp leap forward.
Global New Energy Vehicle Trends
Global new energy vehicle performance in 2026 shows that worldwide car sales reached 47.86 million units in the first half of the year, with new energy vehicles accounting for 11.22 million units. Regular hybrids have surpassed plug-in hybrids as a growth highlight during this period. The broad new energy vehicle sales proportion reached 31.4% in the first half of 2026, with pure electric vehicles at 16.3%, plug-in hybrids at 7.1%, and hybrids at 8%.
Global New Energy Passenger Vehicle Performance
Global new energy passenger vehicle sales reached 11.22 million units in the first half of 2026, up 13% year-on-year. June sales of 2.38 million units represented a 25% increase, bringing growth rates back to historical normal levels. Overseas new energy vehicle market trends have shown increased volatility, with differentiated performance across regions. The total sales volume outside China reached 4.27 million units in the first half of the year, with a growth rate of 28%, approaching the average levels of the previous two years.
Chinese-brand new energy vehicles have shown continued strength in overseas markets. Market share for Chinese-brand new energy passenger vehicles in overseas markets rose from 7.1% in 2023 to 9.6% in 2024, then jumped to 15.8% in 2025. This figure surged further to 26.5% in June 2026. For the first half of 2026, the overseas market share of Chinese-brand new energy passenger vehicles reached 24%, up 10 percentage points from the same period in 2025. This improvement is partly due to strong export performance and the significant contraction of the US new energy vehicle market. Currently, Chinese brands hold over 79% of the new energy vehicle market share in South America and 45% in Southeast Asia.
Looking at regional market trends, Europe surpassed China in 2020. From 2021 to 2026, the European new energy vehicle market has maintained high-level, stable growth, while China's new energy vehicle market has shown sustained strong performance in recent years. The US new energy vehicle market has weakened significantly since October 2025. US new energy vehicle sales were 1.72 million units in 2025, a 2% decline, representing relatively low growth compared to recent years. Due to high tariffs and the removal of new energy vehicle subsidies, US new energy vehicle sales reached 108,000 units in June 2026, down 20% year-on-year, with first-half sales totaling 610,000 units, a 27% decrease. European new energy passenger vehicle sales reached 3.86 million units in 2025, an increase of 960,000 units or 33% year-on-year. Preliminary data shows European new energy passenger vehicle sales at 470,000 units in June 2026, up 31%, with first-half sales reaching 2.34 million units, also up 31%.
New Energy Vehicle Penetration Rates Worldwide
Global new energy vehicle penetration rates continue to show a rapid upward trend, reaching 13.1% in 2022, 15.9% in 2023, 19.5% in 2024, and 23.6% in 2025. The cumulative penetration rate for the first half of 2026 stands at 23.4%. Significant regional disparities exist, with Germany at 32%, Norway at 81%, the UK at 35%, while the US is only at 7% and Japan at just 3.5%. As China continues to strengthen its new energy vehicle development, the US reduces its supportive policies, and Europe gradually restarts new energy subsidies, the global new energy vehicle market has entered a new phase of differentiated development.
Structural Characteristics of Global New Energy Passenger Vehicles
China's new energy passenger vehicle growth rate has been stronger than the global average. China's global share of new energy passenger vehicles was 52% for the full year of 2021, exceeded 62% in 2022, reached 64% in 2023, and surged to 69% in 2024. In 2025, China's share was 68.3%, which moderated to 62% in the first half of 2026. Europe's global new energy vehicle share was 17% in 2025, rising to 21% in the first half of 2026, a significant increase from the same period last year.
Looking at manufacturer shares, BYD leads globally, Geely has risen rapidly, and Tesla has weakened to third place. SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle and SAIC-GM-Wuling have performed well overseas. Geely and Chery's new energy vehicles have shown clear recent strength. Volkswagen's new energy vehicle performance has been relatively stable, while BMW Group and Hyundai have fallen to the third tier. The electrification wave among luxury brands is highly competitive, with Tesla's growth slowing. BMW and Mercedes-Benz are showing average performance.
Battery Electric Vehicle Market Structure
China's share of the global battery electric vehicle market remained relatively stable at around 63% from 2023 to 2025. In 2026, China's share of the global battery electric vehicle market is 58%, with weaker performance in the early part of the year being a temporary factor. Europe's share of the global battery electric vehicle market fell from 26% in 2021 to 20% in 2023, and has further declined to 21% in the first half of 2026. The US share of the global battery electric vehicle market was only 8.5% in 2025, dropping significantly to 6.0% in the first half of 2026.
In terms of manufacturer share for battery electric vehicles, BYD's share has continued to rise. From 7% in 2021, it reached 17% in 2023 and 18% in 2024-2025. In the first half of 2026, BYD's share temporarily fell to 15%. Tesla's share has been relatively poor, declining from around 23% in 2021 to a low of 13%. Geely Group's share has risen from 4% in 2019 to 8.9% in 2026. SAIC's share has been relatively strong recently, while GAC Group and Changan's shares have remained relatively stable.
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Market Structure
China holds a commanding lead in the global plug-in hybrid market. Its share was 33% in 2021, reaching an ultra-high 76.4% in 2025, and maintaining a strong 71% in 2026. Europe's plug-in hybrid share has declined from 55% in 2021 to 21% in 2026.
BYD is the most prominent manufacturer in the plug-in hybrid market. Its global plug-in hybrid share was 15% in 2021, rising to 36% by 2023 and 39% in 2024. In the first half of 2026, BYD's share stands at 32%, demonstrating its leading position in the plug-in hybrid market. Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid share rose significantly to 15% in 2021 before falling to a trough in 2024, recovering to 6.7% in 2026. BMW's share also fell to a trough in 2024 before recovering to 2.5% in 2026. Geely-Volvo holds a 12.9% share of the global plug-in hybrid market.
Hybrid Vehicle Market Structure
China experienced rapid hybrid vehicle development in the prior two years, becoming a major global hybrid market by 2022. With the rise of plug-in hybrids, China's share of the global hybrid market declined from 2023 onwards, but recovered to 15.8% in 2026. The US hybrid market has rebounded significantly since 2024, with its share of the global hybrid market reaching 30% in 2026.
The hybrid market is strongly dominated by Japanese and Korean manufacturers, with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai holding a combined 84% share in 2026. As Europe restricts Chinese-brand pure electric vehicles, SAIC's MG brand has rapidly strengthened its hybrid position in the European market, reaching a 6% share. Most other manufacturers hold less than 1% of the hybrid market. Ford and Mazda have shown relatively strong hybrid market share performance in the US recently.