China's NEVs record strong growth in H1

China's new energy vehicle industry maintained strong growth in the first half of 2026, with domestic sales increasingly becoming mainstream and exports reaching new milestones, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on Tuesday.

The country produced 7.438 million NEVs and sold 7.446 million units in the first six months of the year, up 6.7 and 7.3 percent year-on-year, respectively. Sales of pure electric vehicles accounted for about 67 percent of total NEV sales during the period.

Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the association, said the NEV market sustained steady growth in June, with the overall monthly market penetration rate reaching 58.5 percent.

In the domestic market, the penetration rate exceeded 60 percent, showing the rapid pace at which NEVs are being accepted by consumers, Chen said.

The strong performance was not limited to China. Overseas demand for Chinese vehicles also expanded rapidly in the first half, with automobile exports reaching 5.096 million units, including 2.355 million NEVs, CAAM data showed.

Notably, June marked a historic month for auto exports. Monthly vehicle exports exceeded 1 million units for the first time, up 75.1 percent year-on-year, pushing total exports in the first half above 5 million units, another record high. NEV exports were a major contributor, reaching 523,000 units in June, a 160 percent increase from a year earlier.

Looking ahead, Chen said the association remains cautiously optimistic about China's auto export performance for the full year, adding that full-year exports are expected to exceed 10 million units this year.