LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, global electric vehicle sales increased by 9% compared to the same month last year, reaching 1.85 million units. This rise brought the total sales for the first seven months of 2026 to 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% increase over 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence published these latest figures on Aug. 13, covering both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models. The month of July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand after a sluggish start to 2026.
Among major EV markets, Europe experienced the strongest growth in July, with sales surging 33% year on year to approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, sales in the region increased by 28%. France saw an 81% annual rise in July, reaching an EV market penetration of 37%. Germany’s growth was 46%, while the United Kingdom reported a 43% increase. Despite these gains, European EV sales in July were 17% lower compared to June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share across Europe during the first half of 2026, with registrations reaching 1.22 million units across the European Union, representing 20.7% of new car sales. This is a significant increase from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids accounted for an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, which offers up to 4,500 euros for eligible new electric passenger cars.
Europe’s July growth outpaces China’s decline
China remained the largest electric vehicle market in the world by monthly volume despite experiencing a decline in July. Sales fell 5% from a year earlier to about 980,000 vehicles. From January through July, Chinese EV sales were 12% lower than during the same period in 2025. Nevertheless, electric vehicles still made up more than half of China’s total vehicle market in the first seven months. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly export record.
In contrast, North American EV sales declined significantly in July, with about 140,000 units sold, representing a 27% decrease from the previous year. During the first seven months of 2026, sales were 18% lower than in 2025. The United States saw a more than 30% drop in July EV volumes year on year, following the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025. In the second quarter, U.S. EV sales had already declined by 15% compared to the same period in 2025.
Regional disparities in EV market trajectories
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the most rapid percentage increase in July, with electric vehicle sales rising 97% year on year to around 280,000 units. This growth contributed to the overall global volumes, despite two of the three largest regional markets facing declines. China still accounted for more than half of the worldwide EV sales in July by volume, with Europe making up roughly one-quarter and North America remaining a considerably smaller segment of the global electric vehicle market.
Looking at broader 2026 data, electric vehicles are capturing a larger portion of total car demand. The International Energy Agency reported that EVs represented 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 by 35% from the first quarter. Meanwhile, overall global car sales declined about 5% in the first half. Against this context, the 9% increase in EV sales in July brought cumulative worldwide electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.