Gasoline cars fall below 50% of global new-car sales for first time in a century

For the first time in the automobile industry's century-long history, gasoline-powered vehicles have accounted for less than half of all new cars sold worldwide. In the first half of 2026, gas-powered models shrank to below 50% of global new-vehicle sales, as high oil prices driven by conflict in the Middle East pushed more buyers toward electric and hybrid vehicles, according to a Nikkei Asia report published on October 2. The shift reflects a structural change in the global auto market: over the past decade, gasoline engines have maintained dominance, but accelerating adoption of battery-electric and hybrid models together making up a growing share of sales finally tipped the balance in the January through June period. Rising fuel costs, prompted by geopolitical tensions and elevated oil prices, gave many consumers added incentive to look at vehicles with lower running costs. Industry analysts say the milestone may mark the effective end of the internal-combustion era as the world's default power source. The transition is being led largely by China, the largest auto market, where electric-vehicle sales have surged on the back of government support, expanded charging networks and a mature domestic battery supply chain. The change carries big implications for oil-producing nations, whose economies have long depended on gasoline demand, and for automakers still heavily invested in combustion-engine platforms. Even in regions where electric adoption is slower, hybrid models have helped erode fuel-engine share. While the first-half figure represents only a six-month snapshot, market participants expect the trend to accelerate through the rest of 2026 as hybrid and battery-electric models become cheaper and more widely available. It remains unclear exactly how quickly oil demand from the transport sector will decline, but the data suggests the balance of power in the auto industry is shifting decisively away from gasoline. Source: [Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/gas-vehicles-fall-under-50-of-global-new-auto-sales-for-first-time)