Uneven Growth in Global EV Sales as Europe Leads the Charge
While global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) experienced a 9% hike in July, the growth is characterized by stark regional differences. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, approximately 1.85 million EVs were sold globally last month, contributing to a cumulative 11.5 million units sold in 2026, marking a 4% increase from the previous year.
Benchmark’s data encompasses both battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). “The global EV market continues to be defined by regional divergence,” commented George Whitcombe, a senior EV analyst at Benchmark.
Europe and other regions outside North America showed robust growth, while North America saw a decline. Despite a rise in BEV sales in China, overall new energy vehicle (NEV) sales dipped due to sluggish PHEV sales.
| Region | Jul-26, million | y-o-y | m-o-m | YTD, millions | YTD-26 vs YTD-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 0.98 | -5% | -7% | 5.9 | -12% |
| Europe | 0.45 | 33% | -17% | 3.0 | 28% |
| North America | 0.14 | -27% | -1% | 0.90 | -18% |
| RoW | 0.28 | 97% | -11% | 1.7 | 96% |
| Global | 1.85 | 9% | -10% | 11.5 | 4% |
Europe emerged as the engine of EV growth, with sales reaching 450,000 units in July, a 33% year-on-year increase. Despite a seasonal slowdown from June, year-to-date sales in the continent hit 3 million, a 28% rise. France led with an 81% increase, setting a record EV penetration rate of 37%. Germany and the UK also saw substantial increases at 46% and 43% respectively.
Government incentives have significantly bolstered this growth. In Spain, the new Auto+ incentive program, launched on August 4, offers up to €4,500 ($5,190) in subsidies, with retroactive applications available for purchases made since January 1.
Significant Growth in the Rest of the World
The fastest growth was recorded outside the traditional markets, where sales almost doubled to 280,000 units in July. Overall, sales in these regions reached 1.7 million for the year, a 96% increase.
China’s EV Picture: A Mixed Bag
In China, the story is more nuanced. Despite a 5% year-on-year sales drop in July, BEV sales actually grew by 6%. However, PHEV and extended-range EV sales fell, contributing to a 12% year-to-date decline. An Electrek analysis showed a 44% plunge in gas car sales, indicating a shift toward BEVs. China also exported over 500,000 NEVs in July, setting a new record.
North America’s Decline
In North America, EV sales dropped 27% year-on-year, reaching only 140,000 in July. The first seven months saw a total of 900,000 units sold, marking an 18% decline. Although the US showed some improvement in Q2, July sales fell more than 30% compared to last year, largely due to diminished federal support and regulatory challenges.
For further reading, see IEA: Global EV sales jump 35% in Q2 and 50 countries set records.
Original Story at electrek.co