LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales increased by 9% year on year in July 2026, reaching a total of 1.85 million units. This rise brought the total sales for the first seven months of the year to 11.5 million vehicles, representing a 4% increase compared to 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence released these latest figures on Aug. 13, encompassing battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand after a sluggish start to 2026.
Among the leading EV markets, Europe experienced the most significant growth in July. Sales of electric vehicles rose by 33% from the previous year, totaling approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, regional sales increased by 28%. France saw an 81% annual jump in July and achieved a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany reported a 46% growth, while the United Kingdom’s figures rose by 43%. Despite these gains, European EV sales in July were 17% lower than in June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share across Europe during the first half of 2026. Registrations reached 1.22 million units within the European Union, making up 20.7% of all new cars, compared to 15.6% in the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids accounted for an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain introduced its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, offering up to 4,500 euros toward qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe’s growth in July outpaces China, which experiences a decline
China remained the leading electric vehicle market globally by monthly volume, despite a 5% drop in sales during July to roughly 980,000 vehicles. From January through July, Chinese EV sales were 12% lower than the same period in 2025. Nonetheless, electric vehicles still accounted for more than half of China’s overall vehicle market during this timeframe. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles exceeded 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly export record.
North American EV sales moved contrary to Europe’s growth, with approximately 140,000 units sold in July, down 27% compared to the previous year. Over the first seven months of 2026, sales were 18% lower than the same period in 2025. In the United States, July EV volumes declined by over 30% year on year. These declines follow the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025, with U.S. EV sales dropping 15% during the second quarter compared to the previous year.
Distinct regional trends emerge in EV sales dynamics
Outside the major markets of China, Europe, and North America, smaller regions experienced the most rapid percentage increases in EV sales during July. These markets saw a 97% year-on-year rise, reaching around 280,000 units. This surge contributed to the overall global volume, despite two of the three largest regional markets posting annual declines. China still accounted for over half of global July EV sales by volume, while Europe made up about a quarter, with North America representing a smaller portion of the worldwide market.
Looking at broader 2026 data, electric vehicles are capturing an increasing share of total car sales. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs made up 24% of global car sales in the first half of the year. During the second quarter, electric vehicle sales grew by 4% compared to the same period in the previous year, and increased by 35% from the first quarter. Overall, global car sales declined by around 5% during the first half of 2026. Against this background, the 9% rise in EV sales in July brought the cumulative global electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.