Figures that scare Europe: 606 thousand electric and hybrid vehicle exports from China in one month

The latest wholesale sales data announced by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) once again revealed the "New Energy Vehicle" (NEV) boom in the country. While a new record was broken with a total of 1.94 million NEV sales in October, 606 thousand of these vehicles were exported abroad.

The umbrella term "NEV" in CAAM data, which covers both domestic market sales and exports of passenger cars and commercial vehicles; In China, it is used to describe fully electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV). The Chinese government excludes standard full hybrid (HEV) and mild hybrid vehicles that cannot be charged externally from this category.

HUGE 140 PERCENT GROWTH IN EXPORTS

China's NEV sales increased by 13.1% compared to October 2025, reaching 1.94 million units. This figure consists of the total of domestic market sales of 1,334 million and exports of 606 thousand.

The 606 thousand units of NEV exported represent a striking growth of 140% compared to the same month last year. Even when compared to the exports of 571 thousand units in September 2026, there is an increase of 6.1% in a one-month period. When we look at the production distribution, we see that 31.2% of all NEVs produced in October were exported.

THE MAJOR PART OF PRODUCTION AND EXPORT IS FULLY ELECTRIC

Of the total 1.94 million NEVs produced in China in October, 1.353 million were full electric (BEV) and 587 thousand were rechargeable hybrid (PHEV) vehicles, including range extender models.

In the export breakdown, fully electric vehicles increased by approximately 130% compared to the same period last year, reaching 374 thousand units, and PHEV models increased by approximately 160%, reaching 233 thousand units.

"QUOTA" MOVE FROM EUROPE AGAINST BYD, CHERY AND MG

This export power of Chinese manufacturers in the electric and rechargeable hybrid sector has led to the concreteization of restrictions that have been discussed for a long time in Europe. With the "Made in EU" rule, which the European Commission is expected to announce soon, electric vehicle incentives are planned to be limited only to vehicles produced within the borders of the EU.

In addition, the EU will limit imports of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles from China to 350 thousand units annually, starting from December 1, 2026. The new regulation is aimed to reduce imports from manufacturers such as BYD, Chery and MG Motor by half. The quota will be allowed to increase by a maximum of 6 percent annually.

MARKET SHARE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES INCREASED TO 64.3 PERCENT

According to CAAM data, sales of standard internal combustion vehicles that do not meet the NEV definition, such as gasoline, diesel or non-rechargeable hybrid (HEV), remained at 1.076 million in October. Combined with NEV sales of 1.94 million, the total market reached 3.016 million vehicles.

Thus, the share of New Energy Vehicles in the total market in China increased from 61.6% in September to 64.3%, breaking a new record. Rechargeable vehicles managed to make up more than 60 percent of the automotive market for the fourth month in a row.

The announced CAAM data covers not only Chinese brands but all companies producing vehicles in China. Vehicles produced and exported by Tesla at its Shanghai Gigafactory are also included in these wholesale sales figures. Brand-based official data is shaped by the companies' own declarations; For example, BYD announced with its own reports that it sold more than 300 thousand fully electric vehicles for the first time in October.