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Europe drives global EV sales growth in August, offsetting China, North America weakness

By Thomson Reuters Sep 10, 2026 | 6:14 PM

Sept 11 (Reuters) – Global demand for electric vehicles rose for a sixth consecutive month in August, with ​Europe leading the growth, data ‌from UK-based research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showed on Friday.

Sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles show growing differences between major ‌markets. ​Subsidies support demand in ⁠Europe, while the U.S. ⁠market has been affected by the removal of federal EV tax credits in September 2025, and Chinese automakers ​increasingly rely on exports for growth.

• Global EV sales rose 2% ⁠to 1.83 million vehicles ⁠in August, bringing year-to-date volumes ​to 13.4 million units.

• Monthly sales in ​Europe climbed 36% to 380,000 units, ‌pushing year-to-date growth to 29%.

• Europe’s growth is backed by continued strength in subsidy-backed demand in the region’s ⁠major markets.

• Chinese sales fell 11% to 1.03 million vehicles, affected by a tougher ⁠year-ago comparison.

• ‌North American sales dropped ⁠33% to 140,000 vehicles, reflecting ​last ‌year’s EV buying rush in the ​U.S. before ⁠the federal tax credit expired.

• Sales for the rest of the world jumped 97% to 290,000 units.

(Reporting by Mathias de Rozario in Gdansk, editing by ​Milla Nissi-Prussak)