BUSINESS

Hybrids Fall Out of Pole Position as Pure EV Sales Growth Accelerates

Published: Sep. 18, 2025 6:44 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

After a few years of rapid growth of hybrid car sales in China, pure EVs have now taken the lead. Photo: AI generated

After a few years in which growth in sales of hybrid cars raced ahead, they’ve been overtaken by their pure-electric counterparts.

In the first eight months of this year, sales of pure electric vehicles (EVs) — which includes domestic sales and exports — grew 46.1% year-on-year to about 6.16 million units, according to data from the China Association Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM.) During the same period, sales of plug-in hybrid cars jumped 22.8% to 3.46 million units.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

In the first eight months of 2024, pure EV sales in China grew 46.1% to 6.16 million units, overtaking plug-in hybrids, which rose 22.8% to 3.46 million units.
Plug-in hybrid inventories have exceeded 1 million units; their market share is forecasted to fall to 15% by 2025.
In 2024, pure EVs made up 57.9% of China’s passenger NEV market, with plug-in hybrids and extended-range hybrids at 31.4% and 10.7%, respectively.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

XPeng Inc.: XPeng Inc. is an EV manufacturer that had previously focused on pure EVs but has since rolled out hybrid models. They are currently inching closer to profitability and may break even in the final quarter of this year.

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd.'s Avatr: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. Ltd.'s Avatr, which previously focused on pure EVs, is among the manufacturers that have rolled out hybrid models. This shift was motivated by a clear consumer preference for hybrid cars in recent years, as evidenced by surging sales growth rates for plug-in hybrids.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.'s Aion: Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.'s Aion, an EV maker previously focused on pure electric vehicles, has now broadened its offerings to include hybrid models. This move is in response to a past trend where Chinese consumers showed a clear preference for hybrid models, influencing many EV manufacturers to diversify their product lines.

Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd.: Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. (Leapmotor) is a Chinese carmaker that achieved its first-ever six-month profit in the first half of this year. This profitability was driven by strong sales of its relatively lower-priced pure electric vehicles (EVs).

Nio Inc.: Nio Inc. is mentioned in the article as an EV-maker that is "inching closer to profitability." The company, which primarily produces pure electric vehicles, is expected to "make it out of the red in the final quarter of this year." Many other pure EV-focused carmakers are also on track to break even.

Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Co. Ltd.: Zeng Yu, the executive deputy general manager of Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center Co. Ltd., noted that the driving range of pure EVs has reached its limit due to current battery technology, which remains an obstacle to their broader adoption.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

2022：: Year-on-year sales growth rate for plug-in hybrids surged by 151.6%. Sales of pure EVs grew 81.6%.

2023：: Year-on-year sales growth rate for plug-in hybrids was 84.7%. Sales of pure EVs grew 24.6%.

2024：: Year-on-year sales growth rate for plug-in hybrids was 83.3%. Sales of pure EVs grew 15.5%. Market share of plug-in hybrids in China’s new car market probably peaked.

2024：: The share of pure EVs, plug-in hybrids and extended-range hybrids in China’s passenger NEV market was 57.9%, 31.4% and 10.7%, respectively.

First half of 2025：: Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. posted its first-ever profit for a six-month period.

June 2025：: Plug-in hybrid inventories might have topped 1 million units.

First eight months of 2025：: Sales of pure electric vehicles (EVs) grew 46.1% year-on-year to about 6.16 million units; plug-in hybrid sales jumped 22.8% to 3.46 million units.