Global plug-in sales in July 2026: +9 percent compared to the previous year
Image: BYD (illustrative)
According to analysts at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, 1.85 million electric vehicles (pure battery cars and plug-in hybrids) were sold worldwide in July 2026. This brings the total global sales of battery cars since the beginning of the year to 11.5 million units. Worldwide sales increased by 9 percent compared to July 2025.
The market performed differently across regions. In Europe, electric vehicle sales in July were 33 percent higher than the previous year’s figure, though they dropped by 17 percent compared to June. This brings the growth rate since the start of the year to 28 percent. The monthly decline is attributed to seasonal slowdowns during the summer holidays in July and August.
In several major European auto markets, growth remained strong. France saw an 81 percent increase in July compared to the previous year, reaching a record penetration rate of 37 percent. In Germany, electric vehicle sales rose by 46 percent, while in the United Kingdom they increased by 43 percent. The recovery in many of these larger markets is attributed to the reinstatement of electric vehicle incentive programs over the past 18 months.
In North America, electric vehicle sales declined by 27 percent in July compared to the previous year. As a result, the market has been down by 18 percent since the start of the year. In the United States, the situation improved in the second quarter: the decline since the beginning of the year decreased from 33 percent in the first quarter to 24 percent in the second quarter. By July, sales had fallen by more than 30 percent again compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, Canada has begun issuing permits under its agreement with China. This allows electric vehicles produced in the People’s Republic to be imported into Canada at a lower tariff rate than under the previous 100 percent levy. No specific figures have been provided for this country.
The Chinese market showed further signs of recovery in July after a weak start to the year. Electric vehicle sales were still 5 percent below last year’s level, improving the year-to-date decline to minus 12 percent. Additional tax changes and possible adjustments to China’s vehicle exchange program in 2027 are contributing to this recovery, according to analysts.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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