LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, worldwide electric vehicle sales grew by 9% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1.85 million units globally. The cumulative sales for the first seven months reached 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% increase over the same period in 2025. These figures include battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence indicated that July marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, extending the market’s recovery after a slower start to the year.
Europe demonstrated the strongest growth among the world’s key electric vehicle markets during July. Sales in the region climbed 33% from the previous year, reaching approximately 450,000 units. From January to July, EV sales across Europe increased by 28%. France experienced an 81% annual rise in July, while Germany saw a 46% increase. The United Kingdom registered a 43% growth. However, European sales volume declined 17% from June, indicating a different trend in monthly comparisons.
Battery-electric vehicles also captured a larger share of new car registrations within the European Union. Registrations hit 1.22 million units in the first half of 2026. Battery-electric models made up 20.7% of all new cars, compared with 15.6% a year earlier. Plug-in hybrids accounted for an additional 9.8%. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for eligible new electric passenger cars.
Europe experiences most significant growth among leading EV markets
China maintained its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle market by volume despite a dip in July sales. The country recorded approximately 980,000 EVs sold, representing a 5% decrease from July 2025. Sales over the first seven months fell 12% compared to the same period last year. Despite this, electric vehicles still accounted for more than half of China’s vehicle market during that timeframe. Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record for international shipments.
North America saw a more pronounced decline, with July sales dropping to around 140,000 electric vehicles. The regional total decreased by 27% year on year. The sales from January through July were 18% lower than in the same period of 2025. U.S. electric vehicle volumes fell more than 30% in July compared to the previous year. The expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025 contributed to this downturn, with U.S. EV sales already down 15% during the second quarter.
Emerging markets boost global EV sales momentum
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with sales soaring 97% from the previous year to approximately 280,000 vehicles. These gains contributed to the overall global increase, even as China and North America posted annual declines. China still represented more than half of the total EV sales in July worldwide. Europe made up roughly one-quarter of the market, while North America held a considerably smaller share of global electric vehicle demand.
The International Energy Agency noted that electric vehicles comprised 24% of global car sales during the first half of 2026. During the second quarter, EV sales increased 4% year on year, and surged 35% from the first quarter, despite overall global car sales declining around 5%. The agency projects approximately 23 million electric cars to be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual growth in July pushed cumulative global EV sales to 11.5 million units in the first seven months.