Mobility Global data reported by Nikkei show gasoline-only cars accounted for 49% of global new-car sales in the first half of 2026. Mobility Global data put that share at 73% in 2021. Gasoline-only vehicle sales fell 10% year over year to 20.25 million vehicles.
President Donald Trump continues to promote fossil-fuel production by rolling back federal vehicle-emissions rules. Since 2025, Trump's administration has ended federal clean-vehicle tax credits. Trump's administration has also eliminated federal greenhouse-gas emissions standards, reversing important policy support for electric-vehicle adoption. The United States continues to loosen constraints on fossil-fuel use. Trump met oil and gas executives at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in 2024. Trump asked the executives to raise $1 billion for Trump's presidential campaign in exchange for rolling back environmental regulations and dismantling Biden administration green-energy policies.
Higher gasoline prices strengthen the economic case for electrification. Tesla offers direct investment exposure to electric-vehicle adoption. Toyota Motor offers exposure to a manufacturer with a broader mix of hybrid and conventional vehicles. Ford Motor and General Motors must balance electrification investments with the profitability of existing vehicle businesses. Rivian Automotive's vehicle sales totaled $1.14 billion in Q3, up 23% annually. However, Rivian's average selling prices slipped because commercial vans and R2 deliveries accounted for a larger share of sales.
The Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF offers exposure to autonomous and electric-vehicle technologies. The State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF tracks the energy sector, including major oil and gas producers. BYD surpassed Tesla as the world's largest electric-vehicle maker in 2025. BYD and Tesla alternate as the quarterly leader. Nio, XPeng and Li Auto also offer investment exposure to electric vehicles, although those companies currently face slowing domestic demand.
The International Energy Agency expects electric cars to account for 29% of global sales in 2026. The forecast underscores the scale of the transition and the continued role of combustion engines. Falling gasoline-car market share is not an automatic bearish signal for oil stocks or a bullish signal for every electric-vehicle maker. Investors should monitor regional powertrain sales, automaker margins and capital spending to identify businesses that can profit from the transition. Companies that can adapt to changing consumer demand may offer the strongest investment case, regardless of Washington's energy policies.
Gasoline Cars Fall Below 50% of Global Sales in 2026
BenzingaShare
Summary
Gasoline cars dropped below 50% of global sales in the first half of 2026, with 49% of new vehicles sold as traditional models, down from 73% in 2021. Sales fell 10% year over year to 20.25 million units. U.S. policy shifts under President Trump, including the removal of clean-vehicle tax credits and emissions rules, accelerated the trend. Rising fuel costs and EV adoption are reshaping the market. Investors are closely watching the fear and greed index for signals. Altcoins to watch may reflect broader shifts in energy and tech sectors.
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