While China is still the world’s largest market for new EVs, sales remain stuck below the previous high. That slump is pushing local car manufacturers to double down on exporting their newly built models overseas.

 

Early data from the China Passenger Car Association show that 1.04 million battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars sold nationwide in June. That figure looks healthy until you line it up against last year, when June sales came in 7 percent higher. First-half numbers are even worse, sliding 13 percent to 4.73 million units through 2026.