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EVs capture two-thirds of China’s car market in record-breaking week
Despite subsidy cuts, electric vehicles reached a new sales milestone in mainland China as petrol-powered rivals continued to lose ground
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Daniel Renin ShanghaiPublished: 8:00am, 12 Jun 2026
Electric vehicles accounted for a record 66.7 per cent of new car sales in mainland China during the first week of June, the latest sign that the country’s battery-powered carmakers are benefiting from the global energy crisis.
Two out of every three new cars sold on the mainland in the seven days ending June 7 were either pure electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
The penetration rate climbed from 62.9 per cent in May as a wave of new smart EV models helped sustain consumer demand.Advertisement
“The Middle East conflict has given Chinese EV makers an unexpected shot in the arm,” said Eric Han, a senior manager at Shanghai consultancy Suolei. “Petrol cars may have run out of steam.”
Mainland EV deliveries exceeded 152,000 units between June 1 and 7, up 8 per cent from the corresponding period a month earlier, CPCA data showed.
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The strong performance comes despite a reduction in government support. EV sales got off to a sluggish start this year after Beijing pared back subsidies and tax incentives.
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