China sees a boom in EV sales while petrol-filled cars tank

Sales of all types of electric vehicles rose more than 40% in China last year, while those of petrol-powered car plunged, industry data has revealed.

A total of 31.4 million vehicles were sold last year in the world’s biggest market by sales, up 4.5% compared from a year earlier, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported. 

Growth in sales outpaced production, which rose 3.7%.

China’s exports of passenger cars jumped almost 20% in 2024, to almost five million vehicles. Out of that, exports of what China calls “new energy vehicles”, including battery EVs, fuel-cell cars and plug-in hybrids – electric vehicles with a small gasoline-powered engine to back up the batteries – reached 1.28 million. That was a 6.7% increase from 2023.

Trade-ins provide incentive

Domestically, sales of passenger cars rose 13.6% in December, driven in part by rebates for trade-ins, raising sales of all passenger cars in China by 3.1% for the year, to 22.6 million.

Sales of traditional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles sank 17% in 2024, from 14 million to 11.6 million. They accounted for 51% of overall new car sales.

Plug-in hybrids saw the most rapid growth in 2024, attracting a second generation of electric vehicle buyers who are nervous about buying pure EVs or looking for the more extended range that hybrids can provide.

Sinking demand for fuel-powered cars has proven to be a harsh blow for foreign automakers such as Volkswagen AG and Nissan Motor Corp. that for years have counted on strong demand in China to increase their bottom lines.

They are scrambling to develop electric vehicles for the Chinese market. Honda and Nissan have recently announced plans to pursue a merger in part to meet the challenge of China’s rising EV makers.

The continued rapid expansion of China’s EV sales contrasts with the United States and Europe, where growth has slowed.