The global automotive landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid models gaining unprecedented traction.
According to data from JATO, the share of new cars with alternative powertrains — beyond traditional gasoline or diesel engines — is surging worldwide. In 2019, fully electric battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for just 1.9% of new car sales. By the first quarter of 2025, that figure has skyrocketed to 14.5%, making BEVs the second most popular vehicle type globally, trailing only conventional hybrids.
Other electric formats are also on the rise. Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which combine electric power with a range-extending engine, saw a 1.2 percentage point increase, while mild hybrids (MHEVs) jumped an impressive 8 points, reflecting a growing appetite for greener options with partial electrification. In contrast, the dominance of pure gasoline and diesel vehicles has plummeted, dropping from 91.2% of new car sales in 2019 to 56.7% in 2025. This shift underscores a seismic move toward electrification, despite resistance from some quarters who lament the change.
Driving this trend are stricter emissions regulations, government incentives, and improving EV technology, with models like Tesla’s latest offerings and affordable options from BYD leading the charge. Europe and China remain at the forefront, with BEV sales hitting 22% and 18% of new cars respectively in Q1 2025, while the U.S. trails at 10% but shows rapid growth.
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The data highlights a tipping point: the automotive world is electrifying faster than anticipated, fueled by consumer demand and policy pressure. For those still grumbling about the end of the internal combustion era, the numbers suggest the future is already here — and it’s electric.
