Written by: Fatima Younis
The share of pure gasoline cars in global new car sales has dropped below half for the first time in modern history, affected by rising fuel prices and the accelerated shift toward hybrid and electric vehicles.
Historic Decline in Traditional Car Sales
The first half of 2026 witnessed the share of cars running solely on gasoline decline to 49 percent of total global new car sales. Sales of this category recorded about 20.25 million units during the period from January to June, a 10 percent decrease compared to the same period of the previous year. This marks the first time that the proportion of pure gasoline cars has fallen below the 50 percent barrier since the proliferation of cars in the 1920s, after recording 73 percent in 2021 and 52 percent in the first half of 2025.
Impact of Fuel Prices and Technological Shifts
Several key factors played a decisive role in this decline, most notably rising fuel prices resulting from tensions related to military operations and their impacts on the Strait of Hormuz and global oil prices, which pushed consumers toward more cost-effective operating options. Alongside this, strict emission regulations, a variety of hybrid and electric models, and the rapid transition in major markets such as China and Europe have contributed to reshaping buyers' choices.
Rise of Hybrid and Electric Cars
In contrast, the share of traditional hybrid cars rose to 18 percent, while fully electric cars reached 17 percent. The largest decline rates in pure gasoline cars were recorded in China at 26 percent and in Europe at 13 percent, as both regions witnessed strong growth in alternative car sales. However, internal combustion engines still remain present in large proportions across various categories, with about 83 percent of new cars sold containing an internal combustion engine when accounting for hybrid, diesel, and plug-in hybrid cars.
