BYD Dolphin Photo: BYD
Global EV sales reached 1.8 million units in May 2026, according to new data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, bringing total sales for the first five months of the year to 7.5 million vehicles.
That was up 3% from May 2025 and 7% from April 2026.
The global picture continues to be a tale of three very different markets: Europe is booming, China is still recovering from a slow start to the year, and North America remains stuck in reverse.
RegionMay 2026, millionYear over yearMonth over monthYTD, millionsYTD 2026 vs YTD 2025China0.99-9%11%3.9-15%Europe0.4223%2%2.026%North America0.12-26%3%0.58-25%RoW0.2580%4%1.189%Global1.83%7%7.50.9%
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Data Manager Charles Lester said Europe remains the strongest-performing major EV market in 2026, supported by government incentives and higher fuel prices:
Europe remains the standout performer, up 26% year to date, supported by policy incentives and a growing Chinese OEM presence. Fuel prices remain elevated and, with the situation in the Middle East continuing to evolve, the outlook for petrol prices will be one to watch in the coming months.
Europe keeps growing
European EV sales rose 23% year over year in May and 2% compared to April. Year-to-date sales are now up 26%.
Government subsidies continue to support demand across much of Europe, while rising fuel prices are also making EVs more attractive to buyers.
At the same time, Chinese-made EVs are gaining market share despite European Union tariffs on Chinese BEVs and subsidy programs that favor locally built models.
In the UK, 32% of EVs sold so far this year were built in China. In Germany, that figure is 14%, while France stands at 10%.
Chinese automakers are also increasingly looking to build vehicles in Europe instead of exporting them.
Stellantis has confirmed that it will start producing Leapmotor’s B10 compact EV at its factory near Zaragoza, Spain, in the second half of 2026, with three more Leapmotor models expected to follow. Stellantis is also reportedly considering building Dongfeng vehicles in Europe.
Meanwhile, Ford has confirmed talks with Geely about a partial sale of its Valencia plant in Spain. Nissan and Chery continue to be linked to plans to build Chery vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the UK.
SAIC-MG recently announced plans for a new factory in Spain that could produce up to 120,000 vehicles annually by 2028. BYD is expected to begin production in Hungary toward the end of 2026, although it has reportedly paused plans for a factory in Turkey.
North America continues to lag
North American EV sales remain under pressure.
Benchmark said sales in the region overall were down 26% year over year in May and down 25% year to date, but up 3% from April.
The decline follows automakers scaling back EV plans, the cancellation of the US EV tax credit in September 2025, and weaker policy support for EV adoption.
After Canada introduced a tariff quota agreement allowing 49,000 Chinese-built EVs to enter the country at a lower tariff rate, BYD said it plans to enter the Canadian market by the end of 2026. The Chinese automaker expects to open more than 20 dealerships across Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. Its initial lineup is expected to include the Atto 3, Seal, Dolphin, and Seagull.
China’s EV exports are breaking records
China’s domestic EV market remains weaker than a year ago, though sales have improved in recent months.
Through May, EV sales in China were down 15% compared to the same period in 2025.
However, battery demand has held up better than vehicle sales, as buyers increasingly choose larger EVs with bigger battery packs. Benchmark said that the shift is tied to a subsidy program introduced earlier this year, which has helped increase the average battery size of EVs sold in China.
While domestic demand has softened, exports continue to surge. Chinese new energy vehicle exports climbed to nearly 450,000 units in May, setting another monthly record.
Both BEV and PHEV exports posted strong growth, with BYD leading the way. Chery and Geely followed, while Tesla’s Shanghai factory also remained a major contributor to China’s export volumes.
Lester said the contrast between China’s home market and its export business is becoming more pronounced:
China’s domestic market remains subdued, down 15% year-to-date, though exports continue to surge to record levels, with BYD, Chery, and Geely leading the charge internationally. The gap between China’s domestic weakness and its export strength continues to widen.
Read more: Europe drove global EV sales in April as China exports surged
If you’ve ever considered going solar, make it easy by finding a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing by checking out EnergySage. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online, and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
