LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – In July 2026, worldwide electric vehicle sales grew by 9% compared to the previous year, totaling 1.85 million units globally. For the first seven months of the year, sales reached 11.5 million vehicles, representing a 4% increase from the same period in 2025. These figures include both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reported that July marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth, indicating a continued recovery after a slower start earlier this year.
Among the world’s key EV markets, Europe led the charge in July, with regional sales climbing 33% year-over-year to approximately 450,000 vehicles. The continent experienced a 28% increase in EV sales during January through July. France saw an 81% rise in July, Germany’s growth was 46%, and the United Kingdom registered a 43% increase. Despite this, European EV volumes declined 17% from June, revealing a different trend on a monthly basis.
In the European Union, battery-electric cars gained further market share in new vehicle registrations. During the first half of 2026, registrations reached 1.22 million units. Battery-electric models made up 20.7% of new cars, up from 15.6% a year earlier, while plug-in hybrids accounted for an additional 9.8%. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on August 4, offering up to 4,500 euros for qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe experiences strongest growth among leading EV markets
China continued to be the largest EV market by volume despite a decline in July sales. The country recorded approximately 980,000 EV sales, a 5% decrease compared to July 2025. Sales over the first seven months fell 12% from the same period last year, although electric vehicles still represented more than half of China’s vehicle market during that timeframe. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, marking another monthly record for shipments abroad.
North American EV sales experienced a sharper drop, falling to about 140,000 units in July, a 27% decrease from the previous year. For January through July, sales were 18% lower than the same months in 2025. In the United States, EV volumes dropped more than 30% year-over-year in July. The expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025 has contributed to this decline, which had already seen a 15% decrease during the second quarter.
Emerging markets drive global EV growth momentum
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the fastest percentage gains in July. Their combined sales jumped 97% year-over-year to approximately 280,000 vehicles, supporting the overall global increase. While China and North America faced declines, these smaller markets contributed significantly to the global growth. China still accounted for over half of July’s worldwide EV sales, with Europe making up about a quarter, and North America representing a smaller fraction of the global demand.
According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles made up 24% of global car sales during the first half of 2026. EV sales grew by 4% year-over-year in the second quarter, and increased 35% from the first quarter, despite overall global car sales falling by approximately 5%. The IEA projects about 23 million electric cars will be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual growth in July pushed total global EV sales for the first seven months to 11.5 million units, highlighting the ongoing expansion of the market.