The Chinese automotive market has set a new benchmark for the global industry. As of May 2026, new energy vehicles accounted for 62.9% of all passenger car sales in the country. This statistic includes electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and extended-range models.
According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), 1.51 million vehicles were sold in the country during the month. Despite an overall market decline of 22.1% year-on-year, the share of chargeable vehicles continued to grow. The main reason is the rapid decline in demand for internal combustion engine vehicles. Their market share decreased to 37.1%.
Experts attribute the accelerated transition to electric transport to rising fuel prices and high competition among Chinese manufacturers. As a result, traditional engine vehicles accounted for more than 80% of the total market decline, while the new energy segment remains the main driver of industry development.
It is particularly indicative that electrification is already affecting not only Chinese brands. Joint ventures of global concerns, including Volkswagen, Toyota, and BMW, are increasing sales of electric models in China, while sales of gasoline cars continue to decline.
For comparison: back in 2025, the share of vehicles with a charging port in China was about 55%. Now the market has closely approached the two-thirds mark of all sales, confirming its status as the world's largest center for automotive electrification.