LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales increased by 9% year over year in July 2026, reaching 1.85 million units. This boost contributed to a total of 11.5 million EVs sold globally during the first seven months of the year, representing a 4% rise compared to 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence shared these latest figures on Aug. 13. The data encompasses 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 the major EV markets, Europe experienced the most robust growth in July, with sales climbing 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 units. The region’s sales increased by 28% during the first seven months of 2026. France saw an 81% annual rise in July and achieved a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany recorded a 46% increase, while the United Kingdom reported a 43% growth. Despite this, European EV sales in July were 17% lower than in June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share across Europe during the initial half of 2026. Registrations in the European Union reached 1.22 million units, making up 20.7% of new car registrations—up from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid models contributed an additional 9.8% to 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’s July growth surpasses China’s market contraction
China maintained its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle market by monthly volume, despite a decline in July. Sales dropped 5% from the same month last year to roughly 980,000 vehicles. From January through July, Chinese EV sales were 12% below the same period in 2025. Nonetheless, electric vehicles still made up over half of China’s vehicle market during the first seven months. Additionally, Chinese new energy vehicle exports exceeded 500,000 units in July, marking another monthly record.
In contrast, North American EV sales saw a significant decline in July, with approximately 140,000 units sold—27% less than a year earlier. The first seven months of 2026 also experienced an 18% decrease. In the United States, July EV sales fell by more than 30% compared to the previous year, following the expiration of federal purchase tax credits in September 2025. U.S. EV sales had already declined by 15% during the second quarter year on year.
Regional markets exhibit contrasting EV sales trajectories
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America demonstrated the fastest percentage growth in July, with EV sales rising 97% year over year to around 280,000 units. This increase contributed to overall global volumes, even as two of the three largest regional markets experienced annual declines. China still accounted for over half of the global EV sales in July by volume. Europe represented roughly one-quarter, while North America remained a much smaller segment of the worldwide electric vehicle market.
Data for the full year 2026 also indicates that electric vehicles are capturing a larger proportion of total car demand. The International Energy Agency reported that EVs constituted 24% of global car sales during the first half. Electric vehicle sales grew 4% year on year in the second quarter and increased 35% from the first quarter. Despite an overall decline of about 5% in global car sales during the first half, July’s 9% increase in EVs pushed total global electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.