LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales experienced a 9% growth in July 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1.85 million units sold globally. During the first seven months of the year, sales reached 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% increase from the same period in 2025. These figures encompass both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that July marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, signaling continued market recovery after a slower start to 2026.
Among the world’s leading electric vehicle markets, Europe demonstrated the strongest growth during July. Regional sales expanded by 33% year-over-year to approximately 450,000 units. From January to July, EV sales across Europe grew by 28%. Notably, France experienced an 81% year-on-year increase in July, while Germany’s growth stood at 46%. The United Kingdom also saw a 43% rise. Despite this, European EV volumes declined 17% from June, indicating a different trend in the monthly comparison.
In the European Union, battery-electric cars increased their share of new vehicle registrations significantly. During the first half of 2026, registrations reached 1.22 million units. Battery-electric models now account for 20.7% of new cars, compared to 15.6% in the previous year. Plug-in hybrids represented an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on August 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe demonstrates the strongest growth among the top EV markets
China remained the largest electric vehicle market by volume despite experiencing weaker sales in July. The country reported approximately 980,000 EV sales, a 5% decrease compared to July 2025. For the first seven months, sales were down by 12% relative to the same period last year. Nonetheless, electric vehicles still accounted for more than half of China’s overall vehicle market during that timeframe. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record for shipments abroad.
In contrast, North America saw a sharper downturn with sales dropping to about 140,000 electric vehicles in July, representing a 27% decrease from the previous year. The cumulative sales from January through July were 18% lower than during the same months of 2025. U.S. electric vehicle sales fell by more than 30% in July alone. The expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025 contributed to this decline, following a 15% dip during the second quarter.
Emerging markets contribute to global EV momentum
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July, with sales soaring 97% year-over-year to approximately 280,000 units. These gains supported the overall global increase, even as China and North America posted declines. China still accounted for over half of all EV sales in July worldwide. Europe made up about a quarter of the total, while North American demand remained comparatively smaller on a global scale.
According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles comprised 24% of global car sales during the first half of 2026. EV sales grew by 4% compared to the same quarter last year, and increased by 35% from the first quarter, even as overall global car sales declined by roughly 5%. The agency projects approximately 23 million electric cars will be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual increase in July contributed to a cumulative total of 11.5 million electric vehicles sold globally in the first seven months of the year.