China’s electric vehicle market exploded with 38.2% growth in 2024, registering a staggering 11.2 million battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The dramatic surge solidifies China’s position as the undisputed global leader in EV adoption.
The world’s second-largest economy continues to dominate the electric vehicle landscape, with Chinese brands now responsible for 62% of global EV sales in 2024. This market dominance extends well beyond China’s borders as domestic manufacturers aggressively expand internationally.
And the momentum shows no signs of slowing. China kicked off 2025 by maintaining its commanding lead, with January sales reaching 790,842 battery-electric vehicles and 512,486 plug-in hybrids. These impressive figures underscore the country’s accelerating transition away from traditional combustion engines.
The contrast with Western markets is stark. Battery-electric vehicles claimed approximately 27% market share in China last year, more than double the 13% seen in the European Union. The gap widens further when compared to the United States, where BEVs accounted for just 8% of new vehicle sales.
Perhaps most remarkable is the broader category of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which includes both pure electric and hybrid models. China sold a record-breaking 10.97 million NEVs in 2024, representing extraordinary growth of 41.6% compared to the previous year. This rapid adoption means nearly half of all new vehicles sold in China now feature some form of electrification.
The implications for global automakers are profound. As Chinese manufacturers gain economies of scale and technological expertise at home, they’re increasingly well-positioned to challenge established players in Europe and eventually North America. Western automakers now face the dual challenge of competing with Chinese rivals while navigating their own electric transitions in markets with significantly lower adoption rates.