LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, global electric vehicle sales grew by 9% year on year, reaching 1.85 million units. This growth contributed to a total of 11.5 million vehicles sold over the first seven months of 2026, representing a 4% rise compared to 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence shared these latest figures on August 13. The data encompasses both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand after a sluggish start to 2026.
Among major EV markets, Europe experienced the most significant growth in July. Sales of electric vehicles in the region increased by 33% compared to the same month last year, totaling approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, sales grew by 28%. France saw an 81% year-on-year increase in July, achieving a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany recorded a 46% increase, while the United Kingdom reported a 43% rise. Despite these gains, European EV sales in July were 17% lower than in June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share throughout Europe during the first half of 2026. The European Union registered 1.22 million new EVs, representing 20.7% of all new car registrations, up from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for an additional 9.8% of registrations. On August 4, Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program, offering up to 4,500 euros to eligible new electric passenger cars.
Europe’s July growth outpaces China, which contracts
China remained the world’s leading electric vehicle market by monthly volume, despite a 5% decline in July. Sales totaled around 980,000 vehicles, a drop from the previous year. From January to July, Chinese EV sales were 12% below the same period in 2025. Nevertheless, electric vehicles still made up more than half of China’s vehicle market during this timeframe. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record.
In contrast, North American EV sales declined in July, with approximately 140,000 vehicles sold—down 27% from the previous year. The first seven months of 2026 also saw an 18% decrease in sales. In the United States, July EV sales fell over 30% compared to the previous year, following the September 2025 expiration of federal purchase tax credits. The second quarter had already seen a 15% decline in U.S. EV sales year-on-year.
Significant regional differences in EV sales trends emerge
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage growth during July, with EV sales increasing by 97% year on year to roughly 280,000 units. This surge contributed to overall global EV volumes, even though two of these three key regions saw annual declines. China remained responsible for more than half of July’s global EV sales by volume, with Europe accounting for about one-quarter and North America representing a smaller portion of the worldwide market.
Looking at the broader picture for 2026, data indicates that electric vehicles are capturing a larger share of overall car demand. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs constituted 24% of global car sales during the first half of the year. Sales of electric cars increased by 4% year on year in the second quarter and grew by 35% compared to the first quarter. Meanwhile, global car sales overall declined approximately 5% during the same period. Against this context, July’s 9% growth in EV sales brought the cumulative total of electric vehicles sold worldwide in 2026 to 11.5 million units.