LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Global electric vehicle sales grew 9% year on year in July 2026 to reach 1.85 million units. This rise pushed the total worldwide sales for the first seven months of 2026 to 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% increase compared to 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence released the latest data on Aug. 13, covering 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 the major EV markets, Europe experienced the strongest growth in July. Sales of electric vehicles rose by 33% compared to the previous year, totaling approximately 450,000 units. During the first seven months of 2026, the region’s sales increased by 28%. France saw an 81% yearly surge in July and achieved a 37% EV penetration rate. Germany recorded a 46% growth, while the United Kingdom experienced a 43% increase. However, European EV sales in July were also 17% lower than in June.
Battery-electric vehicles continued to expand their market share across Europe during the first half of 2026. Registrations reached 1.22 million units within the European Union, representing 20.7% of new car registrations. This is a significant increase from 15.6% during the same period last year. Plug-in hybrids made up an additional 9.8% of registrations. Spain launched its Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy program on Aug. 4, which offers up to 4,500 euros for qualifying new electric passenger cars.
Europe leads July’s growth, while China experiences a decline
China remained the world’s largest electric vehicle market by monthly volume despite a downturn in July. Sales declined by 5% from the previous year, totaling around 980,000 vehicles. From January through July, Chinese EV sales were 12% below the same period in 2025. Nevertheless, electric vehicles still represented more than half of China’s total vehicle market during the first seven months. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record.
In contrast to Europe, North American EV sales moved in the opposite direction. The region recorded approximately 140,000 EV sales in July, a decrease of 27% from a year earlier. Sales during the first seven months of 2026 were also 18% lower. 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 when compared to the same period in 2025.
Regional markets display contrasting EV sales trends
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America experienced the highest percentage growth in July. Electric vehicle sales in these regions surged by 97% year on year to approximately 280,000 units. This growth contributed to the global total, even though two of the three largest regional markets saw annual declines. China still accounted for more than half of the global EV sales volume in July. Europe represented about one-quarter, while North America remained a much smaller segment of the worldwide electric vehicle market.
Data from the broader 2026 period indicates that electric vehicles are capturing a larger share of overall car demand. The International Energy Agency reported that EVs made up 24% of global car sales in the first half of the year. During the second quarter, electric car sales increased by 4% year on year and grew by 35% from the first quarter. Meanwhile, global car sales declined by approximately 5% in the first half. Against this context, July’s 9% increase in EV sales pushed the cumulative global electric vehicle sales for 2026 to 11.5 million units.