Electric and hybrid vehicles have moved from the margins to the mainstream in Türkiye, accounting for more than half of all passenger car sales in the first three months of the year.
Industry data shows that buyers are rapidly turning away from petrol, diesel and LPG models as price pressures, policy incentives and wider choice reshape the market.
Sales of electric and hybrid cars reached nearly 108,000 units between January and March, giving these powertrains a combined market share of just over 51 percent. This milestone was achieved despite an overall decline in passenger car sales, which fell by almost 6 percent year on year. The contrast highlights how structural change is taking hold even as broader demand softens.
Petrol remains the single largest category by volume, but its dominance is eroding. Petrol car sales fell by more than 20 percent during the quarter, while diesel deliveries dropped by nearly 27 percent and LPG by more than a third. By comparison, hybrid sales rose by a third and fully electric vehicle sales climbed close to 30 percent. Including extended range electric models, electric cars now represent more than 18 percent of the passenger car market.
Several factors are driving the shift. Türkiye’s special consumption tax system favours electric vehicles, with significantly lower rates than those applied to internal combustion engines. Hybrids also benefit from tax reductions based on engine size and electric motor output, making them attractive to cost conscious buyers in an inflationary environment. At the same time, global manufacturers are steadily reducing diesel offerings, limiting consumer choice in that segment.
Investment in charging infrastructure is reinforcing buyer confidence. The number of public charging sockets has expanded rapidly over the past two years, particularly in major cities and along highways, easing concerns about range and accessibility. Domestic production is also playing a role, with the locally built TOGG electric SUV gaining visibility and benefiting from favourable financing and policy support.
March figures underline the momentum. Fully electric cars accounted for almost one in five sales during the month, while hybrids approached a 34 percent share. Taken together, the figures point to a decisive change in Türkiye’s automotive landscape, suggesting that electrified vehicles are no longer a niche option but the new centre of gravity for the market.
