Lotus Eletre by Geely. Photo: Lotus
Global EV sales topped 2 million in June, but the headline numbers hide a widening split between the world’s biggest markets.
Europe is on a tear, thanks to government incentives, high gas prices, and a growing lineup of affordable EVs. North America, on the other hand, has continued to lose ground since the Trump administration ended the US federal EV tax credit last September. And in China, automakers are increasingly looking overseas as domestic demand cools.
According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, 2 million EVs were sold globally in June 2026, bringing year-to-date sales to 9.6 million. That’s up 7% year over year and 11% from May.
“Europe remains the main engine of growth after another record month for EV sales,” said Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Senior EV Analyst George Whitcombe.
Whitcombe also pointed to a wave of new small electric cars that’s starting to push Europeans toward EVs. That’s a big deal because affordable EVs have long been a missing piece in Europe’s transition. Carmakers are finally bringing small EVs to market that can actually turn a profit, which means buyers should start seeing more choice at lower prices.
And the rest of the world? It’s up a cool 98% year over year in EV sales, or 1.4 million YTD.
RegionJun-26, milliony-o-ym-o-mYTD, millionsYTD-26 vs YTD-25China1.0-11%5%4.9-14%Europe0.5331%28%2.527%North America0.13-13%-9%0.73-20%RoW0.3098%16%1.491%Global2.07%11%9.62%
Europe is setting the pace
Europe had its strongest EV month on record in June, with sales jumping 28% month over month and 31% year over year.
France, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal all set new monthly sales records.
French buyers are sticking with homegrown brands. Renault captured a 20% share of France’s EV market in June, with four of the country’s five best-selling EVs wearing Renault badges. Its new Twingo, which began arriving in meaningful numbers only this spring, was already France’s third-best-selling EV.
Volkswagen Group also started delivering its new family of affordable EVs across Europe in June. Production of the Volkswagen ID.Polo, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq are underway, giving European buyers more lower-cost options.
US sales are weak thanks to federal policy changes
Meanwhile, the picture looks very different in North America.
Benchmark says regional EV sales are down 20% so far this year, a decline it attributes largely to weaker policy support following the end of the US federal EV tax credit.
That’s consistent with what we’ve been seeing for months. US EV sales haven’t collapsed, but they’ve clearly lost momentum since Congress eliminated the consumer tax credit.
Benchmark also says all-electric vehicle sales at both GM and Ford have fallen further than the overall US EV market, as both companies continue to rework their EV strategies.
Canada, however, saw a notable milestone: Lotus shipped its first Chinese-built Eletre SUVs (pictured above) to the country in early July under Canada’s tariff quota agreement, which allows up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs to enter at a reduced tariff of 6.1%, down from the previous 100% surtax.
China is exporting its way through a slowdown
China’s domestic EV market remains weaker than last year, with June sales down 11% year over year and year-to-date sales down 14%.
Instead, Chinese automakers are doubling down on exports.
They shipped nearly 500,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in June, setting another monthly record as manufacturers look beyond China’s softer home market.
Europe remains one of their biggest opportunities. After the European Union imposed tariffs on Chinese battery EVs in 2024, many automakers shifted their focus to plug-in hybrids instead.
That strategy has worked. Sales of Chinese-built PHEVs in Europe have continued to climb, though that could change if the European Commission decides to extend tariffs to those vehicles as well.
The latest Benchmark numbers continue a trend we’ve been tracking throughout 2026: Europe is pulling further ahead as the fastest-growing major EV market, China is increasingly relying on exports, and the US is paying the price for rolling back EV incentives.
Read more: IEA: Global EV sales headed for another record year despite the early stumble
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