LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, the organization providing the latest data, revealed that global electric vehicle sales climbed 9% year on year in July 2026 to reach 1.85 million units. This growth pushed worldwide sales for the first seven months of 2026 to 11.5 million vehicles, representing a 4% increase compared to 2025. The figures, published on Aug. 13, cover both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand following a sluggish start to the year.
Among major markets, Europe experienced the most significant growth in July, with EV sales increasing 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. During the initial seven months of 2026, sales in the region rose 28%. France saw an 81% annual increase in July, achieving a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany’s sales grew by 46%, while the United Kingdom reported a 43% rise. Despite this progress, European EV sales in July were 17% lower compared to June.
Across Europe, battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share in the first half of 2026. Registrations reached 1.22 million units within the European Union, making up 20.7% of new car registrations. This is an increase from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids represented 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 leads July growth while China experiences a decline
China maintained its position as the largest electric vehicle market globally by monthly volume despite a 5% decline in July. Sales dropped to around 980,000 vehicles compared to the previous year. From January through July, Chinese EV sales were 12% below the same period in 2025. Nonetheless, electric vehicles still accounted for more than half of China’s vehicle market during this timeframe. Additionally, Chinese new energy vehicle exports exceeded 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly export record.
In contrast, North American EV sales decreased significantly. The region registered roughly 140,000 EVs in July, a 27% decrease from the same month in 2025. During the first seven months of 2026, sales were 18% lower compared to the previous year. In the United States, July EV volumes fell by more than 30% year on year, a decline following the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025. U.S. EV sales had already dropped 15% during the second quarter compared to the previous year.
Regional disparities in EV sales trends are evident
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with EV sales jumping 97% year on year to approximately 280,000 units. This surge contributed to the overall global volume, even as two of the three largest regional markets saw declines in annual sales. China continued to hold more than half of the global EV market in July by volume, while Europe accounted for about one-quarter. North America remained a smaller but still significant segment of the worldwide electric vehicle market.
Data for 2026 as a whole also indicates a growing share of electric vehicles within total car sales. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs made up 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 saw a 35% rise from the first quarter. Meanwhile, overall global car sales declined approximately 5% in the first half. Against this backdrop, the 9% increase in EV sales in July brought the total global electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.