Electric vehicles captured a record 66.7% of new car sales in mainland China during the first week of June, with two out of every three vehicles sold being either pure electric or plug-in hybrids. The data, released by the China Passenger Car Association, marks the highest weekly penetration rate ever recorded for battery-powered cars in the country.
The milestone represents a sharp acceleration from May, when the penetration rate stood at 62.9%. The latest figures suggest China’s EV makers are gaining momentum amid the global energy crisis, which has boosted demand for alternatives to traditional combustion engines.
According to the CPCA, the seven-day period ending June 7 saw plugin vehicles—including both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models—dominate the market. The association did not provide absolute sales numbers but highlighted the penetration rate as a key indicator of the industry’s trajectory.
Chinese automakers such as BYD and Tesla’s Shanghai factory have been ramping up production, while government subsidies and consumer incentives continue to support adoption. The record week underscores how quickly the country is shifting away from internal combustion engines, even as global rivals struggle with supply chains and tariff disputes.
Some analysts caution that the weekly figure may not be sustainable, as seasonal promotions and inventory clearance could inflate short-term numbers. CPCA’s full June report will clarify whether the trend holds.