LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales grew by 9% in July 2026 compared to the previous year, totaling 1.85 million units globally. For the first seven months, the total reached 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% increase from 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, extending the market’s recovery following a slower start to the year.
Among the world’s leading electric vehicle markets, Europe experienced the most notable growth in July. Regional sales climbed 33% year-over-year to approximately 450,000 vehicles. From January through July, EV sales across Europe increased by 28%. France saw an 81% annual surge in July, while Germany reported growth of 46%. The United Kingdom’s EV sales rose by 43%. Despite this, European sales volume in July declined 17% compared to June, indicating a different monthly trend.
Battery-electric vehicle registrations gained ground within the European Union, reaching 1.22 million units in the first half of 2026. The share of new vehicle registrations attributable to battery-electric models increased to 20.7%, up from 15.6% a year earlier. Plug-in hybrids made up another 9.8% of registrations. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe exhibits the strongest growth among key EV markets
China remained the largest electric vehicle market by volume despite experiencing weaker sales in July. The country recorded around 980,000 EV sales, which is a 5% decline from July 2025. The first seven months of 2026 saw sales 12% below the same period last year. Still, electric vehicles accounted for over half of China’s vehicle market during this period. Additionally, Chinese new energy vehicle exports surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record for shipments abroad.
In North America, sales declined more sharply, falling to approximately 140,000 electric vehicles in July. The regional total dropped by 27% compared to the same month in the previous year. From January to July, sales were 18% lower than during the same period in 2025. U.S. electric vehicle sales experienced a decrease of more than 30% in July, partly due to the expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025. During the second quarter, U.S. EV sales had already fallen by 15% year-over-year.
Emerging markets boost global EV growth momentum
Outside of China, Europe, and North America, electric vehicle markets showed the fastest percentage increase in July. Sales in these regions soared 97% compared to the previous year, reaching about 280,000 units. These gains contributed to the overall global rise, even as China and North America experienced declines in annual sales. China still accounted for more than half of all EV sales globally in July, while Europe contributed roughly one-quarter. North American demand for electric vehicles remained relatively small in comparison.
The International Energy Agency highlighted that electric vehicles made up 24% of global car sales during the first half of 2026. EV sales increased by 4% year-on-year during the second quarter and by 35% from the first quarter, even as overall global car sales declined by about 5%. The agency projects approximately 23 million electric cars will be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual growth in July pushed total global electric vehicle sales through July to 11.5 million units.