China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector reached two major milestones in July 2026, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and highlighted by People's Daily on August 14.
For the first time, NEVs accounted for more than 60 percent of monthly new car sales in July, while their share of cumulative sales for the first seven months also surpassed 50 percent for the first time.
Industry observers say the figures mark a turning point at which new energy vehicles have firmly established themselves as the mainstream of China's auto market. The breakthrough reflects sustained progress in product competitiveness, export growth, and charging infrastructure.
In July, nine of the top 10 passenger car models by retail sales were new energy vehicles. In the first half of 2026, three Chinese automakers entered the global top 10 car brands for the first time collectively, leveraging their advantages in new energy technology.
By the end of June 2026, China's electric vehicle charging infrastructure had grown to 23.057 million units, up 43.2 percent year on year, with county-level coverage reaching 98.61 percent.
Source: People's Daily / CAAM, August 14, 2026
