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 boost pushed the total sales for the first seven months of 2026 to 11.5 million vehicles, representing a 4% rise compared to 2025. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, these figures, published on Aug. 13, include both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand after an initially weaker start to 2026.
Among the major EV markets, Europe experienced the most substantial growth in July, with sales increasing by 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, the region’s EV sales rose by 28%. France saw an impressive 81% annual growth in July, reaching a 37% EV market penetration. Germany’s sales grew by 46%, while the United Kingdom reported a 43% increase. Despite the growth, European EV sales in July were 17% lower than those in June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued their upward market share trend across Europe in the first half of 2026. Registrations totaled 1.22 million units within the European Union, accounting for 20.7% of new car registrations, up from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids contributed an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe records growth in July while China experiences contraction
China remained the world’s largest electric vehicle market by monthly volume in July, despite a 5% decline from the same month in 2025, with sales totaling approximately 980,000 vehicles. Chinese EV sales from January through July were 12% below the same period last year. Even with this decrease, electric vehicles still made up more than half of China’s vehicle market during the first seven months. Additionally, Chinese new energy vehicle exports surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record.
In contrast, North American EV sales declined notably. The region registered roughly 140,000 EV sales in July, representing a 27% decrease from a year earlier. Sales during the first seven months of 2026 also dropped by 18%. Specifically, U.S. EV volumes in July fell over 30% compared to the previous year, following the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025. During the second quarter, U.S. EV sales decreased by 15% year on year.
Regional markets exhibit contrasting trends in EV sales growth
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with sales rising 97% year on year to around 280,000 units. This surge contributed to increasing global volumes, despite two of the three leading regional markets showing annual declines. China continued to dominate July EV sales by volume, accounting for more than half of worldwide sales. Europe contributed roughly one-quarter, while North America remained a considerably smaller segment of the global electric vehicle landscape.
Data from 2026 further illustrates the expanding role of electric vehicles in the automotive market. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs accounted for 24% of global car sales during the first half of the year. Electric vehicle sales increased by 4% year on year in the second quarter and grew 35% compared to the first quarter. Despite an overall decline of about 5% in global car sales during the first half, July’s 9% rise in EV sales helped push the cumulative total of electric vehicles sold in 2026 to 11.5 million units.