Automotive

Gasoline-only cars fall below half of global new-car sales in first half 2026

Slashdot reports that Mobility Global data show gasoline-only vehicles fell to 49% of global new-vehicle sales, the first time on record below half.

Updated Oct 11, 2026 · 22:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

Gasoline-only vehicles made up 49% of global new-vehicle sales in the first half of 2026, down from 73% in 2021, according to Mobility Global data.[Slashdot]
Battery-electric vehicles reached a 17% share and conventional hybrids an 18% share, each growing in unit terms.[Slashdot]
Nikkei ties the faster decline in gasoline-only sales to Middle East-linked fuel price spikes, while the IEA puts the overall car market down about 5%.[Slashdot]

Gasoline-only vehicles were 49% of global new-vehicle sales in the first half of 2026, down from 73% in 2021, according to Mobility Global data.[Slashdot]
Battery-electric vehicles grew 12% to 6.87 million units and took a 17% share of the market in the first half of 2026.[Slashdot]
Conventional hybrids grew 10% to 7.27 million units, capturing an 18% share of the market.[Slashdot]
The global car market shrank about 5% in the first half of 2026, according to the IEA.[Slashdot]
Nikkei ties the faster decline in gasoline-only sales to fuel price spikes linked to the Middle East conflict.[Slashdot]
Yoshiaki Kawano, an associate director at Mobility Global, told Nikkei that few EV buyers return to gasoline cars or hybrids.[Slashdot]

The market figures come from Mobility Global data as relayed by Slashdot and first reported by Nikkei; no independent verification is cited in the reporting.[Slashdot]
The link between the sales decline and fuel prices is Nikkei's interpretation, not an established cause in the reporting.[Slashdot]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.