Global EV sales hit 1.83m in August as Europe grows 36%

Global EV sales reached 1.83 million in August 2026, up just 2% on a year earlier, with Europe doing most of the lifting, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, which owns EV data specialist Rho Motion (Benchmark). Europe grew 36% to 380,000 cars while China and North America both fell. For UK drivers, it puts Britain in the world’s fastest-growing EV region, which matters for how many cars carmakers send here.

What do the August figures show?

Benchmark’s data put year-to-date sales at 13.4 million, up 4% on the same period of 2025. Europe’s August total was down 15% on July because of the holiday slowdown, yet up 36% on August last year. The same data say France, Germany and the UK together make up over half of European EV sales, helped by purchase incentives, cheaper models and elevated fuel prices.

Region	August 2026	Change on August 2025
World	1.83 million	Up 2%
Europe	380,000	Up 36%
China	1.03 million	Down 11%
North America	Not stated	Down 33% (down 21% year to date)

China’s EV share of new passenger car sales stayed above 60% for a fourth month. France reached a record 41% EV share in August (Benchmark via EV Infrastructure News).

Why is Europe growing while the US shrinks?

In North America the comparison is harsh. The $7,500 federal new-EV credit expired on 30 September 2025. Imported cars now face a 25% tariff, and Chinese-built EVs a 100% tariff (The Next Web).

Europe has the opposite mix. Benchmark credits purchase incentives, cheaper models and elevated fuel prices, and France reached a record 41% EV share. Battery electric registrations across Europe also rose by about 34% in the first half of 2026, to roughly 1.2 million (EV Boosters).

Are carmakers shifting EVs from the US to Europe?

At least a dozen EV models have been discontinued, paused or cancelled in the US in 2026, including the BMW iX and i4, the Volvo EX30, Tesla’s Model S and Model X and Honda’s 0 Series (The Next Web). That fits a pattern in which carmakers prioritise markets that still buy.

For the UK, this is a reasonable inference, not a documented trend. No carmaker has announced extra UK supply or price cuts because of the US slowdown. What is documented is the UK’s own demand: battery electric cars took 29.8% of registrations in August, and 25.6% over the first eight months, still below the 33% ZEV mandate target for 2026 (electrive). Our analysis of the mandate gap shows carmakers need 265,000 more sales by December, which is the stronger driver of discounts.

How does the UK compare with the rest of Europe?

Britain is one of the three markets driving the European total, and it has its own incentive. The Electric Car Grant has helped more than 140,000 drivers save up to £3,750 on a new EV in its first year, and 58 models now qualify (Fleet News). That puts UK demand on a similar footing to France, where incentives also feature in Benchmark’s explanation of growth.

What does it mean for UK policy?

The government is reviewing the ZEV mandate, with options to cut the 2030 target from 80% to 70%, 60% or 50% (Carwow). Europe’s growth, and the US decline, are the two examples both sides will cite. See our report on the 2030 target review and the September sales record.

What this means for you

If you are buying, the market is on your side more than headline growth suggests: carmakers must hit mandate targets and the UK is a priority market. Check Electric Car Grant eligible models before you order, since the grant of up to £3,750 comes off the price at the point of sale. Compare dealer discounts across at least three brands, because the UK market is shifting month by month.