Global EV Sales Hit 1.8 Million in May as Europe Posts 23% Year-on-Year Rise

Global electric vehicle sales reached 1.8 million units in May 2026, a 3% increase year-on-year and a 7% rise compared with April, according to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Year-to-date global EV sales for the first five months of 2026 now stand at 7.5 million units. The regional picture remains sharply divided. Europe posted a 23% year-on-year rise in May and is up 26% year-to-date, driven by expanded government incentive programmes, rising fuel prices and a growing Chinese brand presence across the continent. North America continued to lag, with sales down 26% year-on-year in May and 25% below year-ago levels year-to-date, reflecting the absence of the US federal EV tax credit, which expired on 30 September 2025 and has not been replaced. China's domestic market remains subdued, down approximately 15% year-to-date, as manufacturers redirect output to export markets. BYD, Chery and Geely are leading the international push, with Chinese exports posting successive monthly records. The diverging regional trajectories highlight how policy and incentive environments remain the primary drivers of EV adoption across major markets.