# Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles rise to 16% and double their share of the Brazilian market

The rapid growth of the electrified fleet in the first half of 2026 reflects investment in infrastructure and automakers' expansion in the country.

- Section: Automotive
- Published: October 19, 2026
- Address: https://ceoone.com.br/en/article/sales-of-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles-rise-to-16-and-double-their-share
- Em português: https://ceoone.com.br/artigo/vendas-de-veiculos-eletricos-e-hibridos-sobem-para-16-e-dobram-partici.md

![A silver electric car plugged into a charger on a stone sidewalk](https://pub-b80e49b2737940b3ab5d3f20d0578192.r2.dev/artigos/vendas-de-veiculos-eletricos-e-hibridos-sobem-para-16-e-dobram-partici-foto.webp)

Photo: Mohamed B./Pexels

## Key points

- Electric and hybrid vehicles were 16% of registrations in the first half of 2026, almost double the 8.7% of the same period in 2025.
- More than 90,000 electrified vehicles, according to ABVE and Fenabrave, led by BYD and GWM and by flex-fuel hybrids produced in the country.
- The higher import tax did not slow sales and sped up local production in São Paulo, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro; the forecast is to end the year close to 20%.

The Brazilian auto market reached a historic milestone in the energy transition in the first half of 2026. Electrified light vehicles, a category that includes fully electric (BEV) and hybrid (HEV and PHEV) models, accounted for 16% of all registrations in the country between January and June. That is practically double the 8.7% share recorded in the same period of 2025, signaling a structural change in consumer preferences and in the stocking strategy of the country's dealerships.

Figures compiled by the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE) and the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Distribution (Fenabrave) show that more than 90,000 electrified vehicles hit the streets in the first six months of the year. Growth was driven by the strength of Asian brands, especially BYD and GWM, and by the response of traditional automakers, which expanded their offering of locally produced flex-fuel hybrids. The combination of lower cost per kilometer and sustainability gains has attracted both individual buyers and corporate fleet managers.

Looking at this new level of consumption, ABVE president Ricardo Bastos highlights the market's maturity: "The consolidation of electrified vehicles at 16% of the national market proves that Brazilian consumers have moved past the experimentation phase and are actively seeking efficiency and technology. This progress accelerates the need for investment in charging infrastructure and reinforces the urgency of strengthening the local production chain."

Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids remain the main gateway to electrification in the country, allowing consumers to combine the efficiency of the electric motor with the convenience of traditional fuels. Models such as the BYD Song Plus, the Haval H6 and the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid lead the preferences of middle and upper-income families, while fully electric cars such as the Dolphin and the Kwid E-Tech are gaining ground in urban fleets and ride-hailing apps.

The growth of the fleet follows the gradual expansion of charging infrastructure across the country, although the concentration of charging stations in the South and Southeast still poses challenges for long-distance travel. The private sector has led the installation of fast-charging stations on toll highways, in shopping malls and at commercial hubs, reducing drivers' range anxiety. In addition, new guidelines of the Mover program (Green Mobility and Innovation) have encouraged investment in research and development of low-emission technologies integrated with Brazilian biofuel.

On the regulatory front, the gradual increase in import tax rates on electric and hybrid vehicles has not slowed sales, acting instead as a catalyst for local production. The main automakers have accelerated plans to manufacture electrified models at plants in the states of São Paulo, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. The shift to local manufacturing seeks to protect operating margins against currency fluctuations and keep prices competitive with traditional combustion vehicles.

The rise of electrified vehicles also drives related sectors of the economy, such as residential solar energy, battery storage solutions and insurance companies. The growth of this fleet requires training repair shop networks, adapting dealerships and restructuring supply chains for the disposal and recycling of electronic components. Investors and market analysts expect the share of electrified models to end the year close to 20% of all light vehicles sold in Brazil.

The first-half performance establishes Brazil as the main e-mobility hub in Latin America, combining the maturing of the imported fleet with the consolidation of domestic production. The rapid uptake by consumers shows that electrification is no longer a trend restricted to the luxury niche but a central driver of industrial transformation and competitiveness in Brazilian auto retail.

## Sources and editorial notes

- Reference reporting: Exame, ABVE, Fenabrave, Valor Econômico, Autoesporte.

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