China Electric Car Market: Sales, Share and Exports

Why China accounts for most of the world's electric car sales and exports, and what the IEA expects next.

Updated October 1, 2026
5 min read
1 source
China

Executive Summary

China is the centre of the global electric car market. More than 11 million electric cars were sold there in 2024, almost half of all cars sold in the country. China also made about 40% of global electric car exports. The IEA projects that electric cars will reach around 60% of Chinese car sales in 2025.

Key Numbers

Electric car sales, 2024: 11M+[1]; More than global sales two years earlier.
Share of China car sales: ~50%[1]; Electric cars were almost half of 2024 sales.
Share of global EV exports: 40%[1]; Nearly 1.25 million cars exported in 2024.
Projected share, 2025: ~60%[1]; IEA projection of electric share of car sales.

Charts

Share of global electric car exports, 2024

China's share of global electric car exports, compared with all other exporters combined.

China40%
Rest of world60%

Unit: % · 2024Source: [1] International Energy Agency (IEA)

Market Size

More than 11 million electric cars were sold in China in 2024 [1]. That is more than were sold worldwide just two years earlier [1], and almost half of all cars sold in China that year [1].

Exports and Trade

Global trade in electric cars rose 20% in 2024, and imports now make up almost one-fifth of global electric car sales [1]. China made about 40% of global exports, nearly 1.25 million cars [1].

About 60% of the European Union's electric car imports came from China [1].

Growth Drivers

The IEA points to continued incentives for replacing older vehicles and falling electric car prices as reasons for strong demand in China [1].

Forecast

Electric cars are projected to reach around 60% of total car sales in China in 2025 [1]. This is an IEA projection, not a reported result.

Methodology

All figures come from the IEA Global EV Outlook 2025. 'Electric cars' includes both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Sources

[1]
Global EV Outlook 2025 / International Energy Agency (IEA) / 2025 / View source

Figures are reproduced from the publishers above. Calculations marked as our own are derived from these figures. Always check the original source before using a number.