LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, global electric vehicle sales rose by 9% compared to the previous year, totaling 1.85 million units worldwide. The cumulative sales for the first seven months reached 11.5 million vehicles, representing a 4% increase from the same period in 2025. These figures include battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that July marked the fifth consecutive month of yearly growth, continuing the market’s recovery after a slower start to the year.
Among the world’s leading EV markets, Europe experienced the most significant growth during July. Sales in the region climbed 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 vehicles. During the January through July span, EV sales across Europe increased by 28%. France saw an 81% year-over-year increase in July, Germany experienced a 46% rise, and the United Kingdom registered a 43% growth. Despite this, European EV volumes declined 17% from June, indicating a different monthly trend.
Battery-electric vehicles also gained a larger portion of new car registrations within the European Union. During the first half of 2026, registrations hit 1.22 million units. Battery-electric models made up 20.7% of new vehicle registrations, up from 15.6% in the same period last year. 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 demonstrates strongest growth among key EV markets
China remained the largest EV market by volume despite weaker sales in July. The country recorded approximately 980,000 EV sales, which is a 5% decrease from July 2025. Sales over the first seven months were 12% below the same period last year. Electric vehicles still comprised 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 record for overseas shipments.
North America experienced a sharper decline, with about 140,000 electric vehicles sold in July. This regional total dropped 27% compared to the previous year. From January to July, sales were 18% lower than the same period in 2025. U.S. EV volumes fell over 30% year-on-year in July, following the expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025. Sales had already declined by 15% during the second quarter.
Other regions contribute to global EV growth momentum
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage increases in July, with sales surging 97% from a year earlier to around 280,000 vehicles. These gains helped support the overall global increase, even as China and North America posted yearly declines. China still accounted for more than half of the worldwide EV sales in July, while Europe made up roughly one-quarter, and North America’s share remained comparatively small.
According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles made up 24% of global car sales during the first half of 2026. EV sales grew 4% year-on-year in the second quarter and increased 35% from the first quarter, despite a roughly 5% decline in overall global car sales. The agency projects approximately 23 million electric cars sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% increase in July pushed the total global electric vehicle sales to 11.5 million units for the first seven months of the year.