LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, worldwide electric vehicle sales climbed 9% compared to the previous year, totaling 1.85 million units globally. For the first seven months, sales reached 11.5 million vehicles, marking a 4% increase over the same period in 2025. These figures include both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that July marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, signaling a continued recovery after a slower start to the year.
During July, Europe stood out as the fastest-growing major electric vehicle market, with regional sales rising by 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. Between January and July, EV sales in Europe grew by 28%. France experienced an 81% year-over-year increase in July, Germany saw a 46% rise, and the United Kingdom registered a 43% growth. However, European sales volumes for July declined by 17% compared to June, indicating a different pattern in monthly trends.
The share of battery-electric vehicles in new registrations also continued to grow across the European Union. During the first half of 2026, registrations reached 1.22 million units. Battery-electric models made up 20.7% of all new cars, up from 15.6% a year earlier. Plug-in hybrids accounted for an additional 9.8% of the registrations. 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 the strongest growth among key EV markets
Despite softer July sales, China maintained its position as the largest electric vehicle market by volume, with approximately 980,000 EVs sold, reflecting a 5% decrease from July 2025. The first seven months saw a 12% decline compared to the same period last year. Electric vehicles still accounted for over half of China’s vehicle market during that time. Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting a new monthly record for international shipments.
In North America, sales experienced a sharper downturn, dropping to about 140,000 EVs in July, which is a 27% decrease from the previous year. The total for January through July was 18% lower than the same period in 2025. U.S. EV sales specifically fell more than 30% year-on-year in July. The expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025 contributed to the decline, and sales had already decreased by 15% during Q2.
Emerging markets boost global electric vehicle demand
Electric vehicle markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with sales jumping 97% from a year earlier to approximately 280,000 vehicles. These gains helped support the overall global increase, even though China and North America faced declines. China still accounted for more than half of the worldwide July EV sales, while Europe contributed around a quarter. North America’s share of the global electric vehicle market remained relatively small.
The International Energy Agency reported that electric vehicles made up 24% of global car sales in the first half of 2026. During the second quarter, EV sales grew by 4% year-on-year and increased by 35% from the first quarter, even as overall global car sales declined by about 5%. The agency projects around 23 million electric cars will be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual growth in July pushed the total cumulative global EV sales to 11.5 million units for the first seven months of the year.