China's EV Sales Hit 54% of All New Cars Sold in 2025
More than half of all new cars sold in China last year were electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, marking a historic shift in the world's largest auto market. The trend suggests the country could be fully electrified a decade ahead of schedule.
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For the first time ever, most new cars sold in China came with a plug.
In 2025, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles captured 54% of China's total auto market, up from 48% the previous year. Fully electric vehicles alone represented 33% of all sales, compared to just 25% in 2024.
December saw the momentum accelerate even faster. That month, plug-in vehicles hit a record 1.34 million sales and grabbed 59% market share, with pure electric vehicles reaching 35%.
The shift is happening faster than anyone predicted. If this pace continues, China could have a fully electrified car market before 2035, years ahead of most global targets.
Traditional gas-powered cars are quickly losing ground. Only two fully fossil-fueled models made it into China's top 10 best-selling cars for 2025, down from four the year before. Both are seeing their sales decline.
New electric models are driving the change. Xiaomi's YU7 SUV collected hundreds of thousands of orders within hours of launching, claiming a spot in December's top three. Geely's affordable Xingyuan hatchback came out of nowhere to become the year's overall best-selling vehicle in any category.
Even Tesla's Model Y hit a monthly record of 65,874 sales in December after adding a three-row version. The success shows that Chinese buyers across all price points are choosing electric.
The Ripple Effect
China's electric vehicle revolution is reshaping the global auto industry. As the world's largest car market goes electric, manufacturers worldwide are watching closely and adjusting their strategies.
The country's progress proves that rapid adoption is possible when consumers have compelling options at various price points. Affordable models like the Geely Xingyuan are filling gaps that keep different buyers from making the switch.
Chinese automakers are now preparing to export their electric vehicles globally. Geely plans to bring the Xingyuan to international markets in 2026, potentially accelerating the electric transition beyond China's borders.
The declining presence of gas-powered cars in China's best-seller lists signals a tipping point. When electric vehicles dominate the world's largest market, the automotive industry's transformation becomes irreversible.
China just proved that the electric future isn't coming someday; it's already here.
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Based on reporting by CleanTechnica
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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