LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales rose by 9% in July 2026 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 1.85 million units globally. In the first seven months, sales amounted to 11.5 million vehicles, marking a 4% increase from the same period in 2025. These figures include both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence confirmed that July was the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, signaling a recovery after a sluggish start to the year.
Europe stood out as the leading region in electric vehicle growth during July. Regional sales jumped 33% from the previous year to roughly 450,000 units. From January to July, EV sales across Europe grew by 28%. France experienced an 81% year-over-year increase in July, while Germany’s growth was 46%. The United Kingdom saw a 43% rise. However, European sales still declined by 17% from June, indicating a different trend on a monthly basis.
Battery-electric cars gained further traction in the European Union’s new vehicle registrations. During the first half of 2026, registrations hit 1.22 million units. Battery-electric models now make up 20.7% of new car registrations, up from 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 qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe sees strongest growth among leading EV markets
China remains the largest electric vehicle market by volume despite weaker sales in July. The country sold around 980,000 EVs, a 5% decrease from July 2025. First seven months’ sales were 12% lower than last year’s same period. Still, electric vehicles accounted for more than half of China’s vehicle market during that time. Chinese exports of new energy vehicles exceeded 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record for shipments abroad.
North America experienced a sharper decline. Sales dropped to about 140,000 electric vehicles in July, a 27% decrease from 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. The expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025 contributed to this downturn. U.S. electric vehicle sales had already fallen 15% in the second quarter.
Other regions drive global EV sales forward
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth in July. Sales in these regions surged 97% from a year earlier, reaching about 280,000 vehicles. While China and North America faced declines, these markets helped boost global numbers. China still accounted for more than half of July’s worldwide EV sales. Europe contributed roughly 25%, with North America representing a smaller share of global EV demand.
The International Energy Agency reported that electric vehicles made up 24% of global car sales in the first half of 2026. EV sales grew 4% year on year in the second quarter. They also increased by 35% from the first quarter, despite a 5% decline in overall global car sales. The agency projects approximately 23 million electric car sales worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual increase in July brought total global EV sales to 11.5 million units in the first seven months.