China's oil consumption fell 9% year over year in the second quarter as expensive crude accelerated the use of electric cars, trucks, rail, and industrial equipment.
The decline helped cut China's carbon dioxide emissions by 1% during the quarter, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Electric vehicles displaced 36 million metric tons of oil during the first half of 2026, accounting for roughly one-third of the reduction in Chinese oil demand.
China remains the world's largest crude importer, giving changes in its transportation fleet consequences well beyond its emissions numbers.
