{"id":307803,"date":"2026-05-28T12:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T16:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=307803"},"modified":"2026-06-08T16:33:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:33:43","slug":"worldwide-a-quarter-of-new-car-sales-are-electric-vehicles-or-hybrids","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/05\/28\/worldwide-a-quarter-of-new-car-sales-are-electric-vehicles-or-hybrids\/","title":{"rendered":"Worldwide, a quarter of new car sales are electric vehicles or hybrids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Electric vehicle recharging station in the Norwegian fjord village of Eidfjord. (Martin Berry\/UCG\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many Americans are open to buying an electric or hybrid vehicle the next time they shop for a car. About a third of U.S. adults (32%) say they\u2019re very or somewhat likely to seriously consider purchasing an electric vehicle, and 44% say the same about a hybrid, according to a Pew Research Center survey<\/a> from March. The survey took place a few weeks into the U.S. military conflict against Iran, which has led to sharply higher gas prices<\/a> nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up only 10% of all new cars sold in the United States in 2025, according to the most recent data from the International Energy Agency<\/a> (IEA). That was well below the global average of 25% and far below the share in many of the 58 other countries for which 2025 data is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center analysis looks at sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars around the world. It highlights the countries where electric vehicles make up the highest share of all car sales, how much sales have grown in recent years, and the availability of public charging points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center does research to help the public, media and decision-makers understand important topics. This research builds on our previous work on energy and the environment<\/a>, including Americans\u2019 views of electric and hybrid vehicles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most of the findings in this analysis come from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Its Global EV Outlook report<\/a> includes world data for 2010 through 2025 and detailed profiles for 59 countries. Availability of data for some countries varies by year. All monetary figures shown are in U.S. dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IEA\u2019s measure of \u201ccharging points\u201d refers to the number of power sockets available on charging stations, indicating how many EVs can be charged at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other findings in this analysis come from previous Center publications. Details about these publications, including survey field dates and other methodological information, can be found at the links in the text.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

Where do EVs and hybrids account for the largest share of new car sales?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In eight countries in the IEA data, at least half of all new cars sold in 2025 were electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. Only four countries met this threshold in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norway<\/strong> easily led the way: 97% of its new cars sales last year were EVs or hybrids, and the country has long incentivized people to buy EVs<\/a> over gas-powered cars. From 1990 to 2022, Norway exempted EVs from the typical taxes for a new car purchase. (Today, buyers pay some but not all of those taxes.) Other perks that have been in the mix over the years include free or reduced-price tolls, ferry tickets and municipal parking for EVs. Meanwhile, Norway\u2019s gas prices<\/a> are some of the highest in the world at more than $9 per gallon, as of mid-May.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In 2025, 97% of new cars sold in Norway were electric vehicles or hybrids<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of new car sales that were electric or hybrid in each country, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n
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Note: New car sales only. EVs and hybrids include battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. Chart shows 59 countries where 2025 data was available.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: International Energy Agency, \u201cGlobal EV Outlook 2026.\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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