LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, global electric vehicle sales increased by 9% year on year, reaching a total of 1.85 million units. This rise contributed to a first-half total of 11.5 million vehicles sold worldwide, representing a 4% increase compared to 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence published these latest figures on Aug. 13, which include battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The month of July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand, following a sluggish start to 2026.
Among major EV markets, Europe experienced the strongest growth in July, with sales rising 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, sales in the region increased by 28%. France recorded an 81% year-on-year increase in July, reaching a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany’s growth was 46%, while the United Kingdom saw a 43% rise. Despite these gains, European EV sales in July were still 17% lower than in June.
Throughout the first half of 2026, battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share across Europe. The European Union registered 1.22 million new electric cars, accounting for 20.7% of new vehicle registrations, up from 15.6% in the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids made up an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain also launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for eligible new electric passenger cars.
Europe’s July growth outpaces China’s market contraction
China continued to be the world’s largest electric vehicle market in terms of monthly volume, despite a 5% decline from a year earlier to roughly 980,000 units in July. Chinese EV sales from January through July were 12% below the same period in 2025. Nonetheless, electric vehicles still accounted for more than half of China’s total vehicle market during this timeframe. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles exceeded 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record.
In contrast, North American EV sales declined significantly, with approximately 140,000 units sold in July—a 27% drop from the previous year. The first seven months of 2026 saw sales 18% lower than the same period in 2025. In the United States, July EV sales fell over 30% compared to last year, following the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025. During the second quarter, U.S. EV sales had already decreased by 15% year on year.
Diverging regional EV sales patterns highlight contrasting trends
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with EV sales rising 97% year on year to approximately 280,000 units. While this boosted global volumes, two of the three largest regional markets saw declines in annual sales. China still represented over half of all EVs sold globally in July, with Europe accounting for about one-quarter and North America comprising a much smaller proportion of the overall market.
Data for the broader year of 2026 indicates that electric vehicles are gaining a larger share of the total car market. The International Energy Agency reported that EVs made up 24% of global car sales during the first half. During the second quarter, electric car sales increased by 4% year on year and grew 35% from the first quarter. Overall, global car sales declined by approximately 5% in the first half. Against this backdrop, July’s 9% increase in EV sales pushed the cumulative global electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.