17:40 - 16.06.2026

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June 16, Fineko/abc.az. Contrary to expectations that the global fuel crisis will spur interest in electric vehicles, the real statistics of the largest markets demonstrate exactly the opposite trends, while maintaining the dominance of classic internal combustion engines.

ABC.AZ informs that analysts’ report a 13.64% increase in the average price of lithium carbonate in May 2026 compared to April. Lithium has shown a multiple increase since last summer, but prices have already slightly adjusted downward in June relative to the May highs.

The situation in key markets:

• The recession in China: In China, the sale of motor fuel has decreased, but consumers have not switched to electric cars. Sales of "clean" electric vehicles in China decreased by 4.4% in April, and by 18.1% in the first 4 months. In the segment of rechargeable hybrids, the drop was 33.2% by April 2025 and 35.5% in four months. Chinese residents have simply become more likely to choose taxis and public transport.

• Decline in the USA: In the American market, electric vehicles sank by 28.2% in January-April.

• The European paradox: The growth of the global sector was provided exclusively by Europe (plus 27.3% in 4 months). At the same time, the main increase in "clean" electric vehicles (22.3%) and hybrids (30.6%) occurred in January-February. This proves that the trend originated before the war in the Middle East and the spike in fuel prices.

Analysts emphasize that it is premature to write off the internal combustion engine — the European market is now actively buying up hybrids of all types that are structurally equipped with traditional gasoline or diesel engines.