LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / RankWire.AI / – Worldwide electric vehicle sales increased by 9% in July 2026 compared to the same month last year, totaling 1.85 million units globally. The cumulative sales for the first seven months of the year reached 11.5 million vehicles, reflecting a 4% rise from the same period in 2025. These figures include both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that July marked a fifth consecutive month of yearly growth, signaling an ongoing market recovery after a sluggish start to the year.
Among the world’s key electric vehicle markets, Europe stood out with the most significant growth in July. Sales in the region climbed 33% from the previous year to approximately 450,000 vehicles. During January through July, EV sales across Europe increased by 28%. France experienced an 81% annual surge in July, Germany posted a 46% increase, and the United Kingdom saw a rise of 43%. However, European EV volumes still declined 17% from June, indicating a different trend in monthly comparisons.
Within the European Union, battery-electric cars continued gaining market share in new vehicle registrations. Registrations reached 1.22 million units in the first half of 2026. Battery-electric models accounted for 20.7% of new cars, up from 15.6% a year earlier, while plug-in hybrids made up 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 maintained its position as the largest electric vehicle market by volume, despite a decline in July sales. The country recorded approximately 980,000 EVs sold, representing a 5% decrease from July 2025. Cumulative sales in the first seven months were 12% lower than the same period last year. Still, electric vehicles accounted for more than half of China’s vehicle market during that time. Additionally, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles surpassed 500,000 units in July, setting another monthly record for overseas shipments.
In North America, the market experienced a sharper downturn, with July sales dropping to roughly 140,000 electric vehicles. The regional total fell 27% from the previous year, and sales from January through July were 18% below the same period in 2025. U.S. electric vehicle sales declined more than 30% year on year in July, following the expiration of federal EV purchase tax credits in September 2025. Earlier, U.S. EV sales had already decreased by 15% during the second quarter.
Other regions contribute to global EV market momentum
Markets outside China, Europe, and North America saw the fastest percentage growth in July, with sales soaring 97% from a year earlier to approximately 280,000 units. These increases helped support the global rise, even as China and North America faced declines. Despite the drops, China still accounted for more than half of the worldwide EV sales in July. Europe made up roughly a quarter of the total, while North America represented a significantly smaller share of global electric vehicle 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 4% year on year in the second quarter and increased 35% compared to the first quarter, even as overall global car sales declined by about 5%. The agency projects around 23 million electric cars will be sold worldwide in 2026. The 9% annual growth in July has pushed total global electric vehicle sales through the first seven months to 11.5 million units.