China’s NEV Sales on Track to Surpass Gasoline Cars in 2025
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Sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China are poised to surpass those of gasoline-powered cars for the first time in 2025, with the segment accounting for nearly half of all new car sales so far this year.
From January to August, NEV sales — including battery electric and plug-in hybrid models — jumped 36.7% year-on-year to 9.62 million units, or 45.5% of all new car sales, according to data released Thursday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). In the domestic market, NEVs captured 48% of sales with 8 million units sold, putting the country on track to hit a 50% share by year-end.
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- NEVs made up 45.5% of China’s new car sales (9.62 million units) from January to August 2025, nearing a 50% share by year-end and surpassing the government’s 20% target for 2025.
- Pure electric vehicle sales grew 46.1% year-on-year to 6.158 million units, while plug-in hybrids rose 22.8% to 3.46 million units.
- The top 15 automakers held 95.1% of the NEV market; exports surged 87.3% to 1.53 million units.
- BYD Co.
- BYD Co. is a prominent player in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market. Along with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. and SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., BYD captured a combined 51.2% of the market share among the top 15 automotive groups, which accounted for 95.1% of total NEV sales in China during the first eight months of the year.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. is one of the top three automotive groups in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market. Along with BYD Co. and SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., these three companies collectively held 51.2% of the total NEV market share in the first eight months of the year.
- SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd.
- SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. is one of the top three automotive groups in China's New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market. Along with BYD Co. and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd., these three companies collectively captured a substantial 51.2% of the NEV market share in the first eight months of the year.
- 2020：
- The Chinese government set a plan aiming for NEVs to reach 20% of new car sales by 2025.
- 2024：
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles led the NEV segment with an 83.3% increase in sales, compared to 15.5% for battery electric vehicles.
- January-August 2025：
- NEV sales in China jumped 36.7% year-on-year to 9.62 million units, representing 45.5% of all new car sales; pure electric vehicle sales rose 46.1% to 6.158 million units; plug-in hybrid sales rose 22.8% to 3.46 million units.
- January-August 2025：
- The top 15 automotive groups accounted for 9.1 million NEV sales, or 95.1% of the total market, increasing their market share by 1.5 percentage points compared to 2024.
- January-August 2025：
- Total vehicle sales in China climbed 12.6% year-on-year to 21.13 million units; domestic sales increased 12.3% to 16.84 million units.
- January-August 2025：
- Total vehicle exports from China rose 13.7% year-on-year to 4.29 million units; NEV exports surged 87.3% to 1.53 million units.
- August 2025：
- Total vehicle sales in China rose 10.1% year-on-year to 2.86 million units; NEV exports nearly doubled to 224,000 units.
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