Global EV and PHEV Sales Rise 6% in April, Europe Drives Growth as North America Declines 25%

Global EV and PHEV Sales Rise 6% in April, Europe Leads Growth

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) rose 6% year-over-year in April, according to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI). The total reached approximately 1.6 million units, though this represents a 9% decline from March, when subsidy expirations and rising fuel prices temporarily boosted demand.

Europe Dominates Growth

Europe accounted for most of the global gains, with plug-in sales slipping 24% from March but jumping 27% compared to April 2025. A total of 400,000 units were sold in the region. Key markets saw strong performance:

• Italy nearly doubled its volume year-over-year.
• France saw a 36% increase.
• Germany rose 33%.

The war in Iran also influenced demand, with EV and PHEV sales accelerating from 19% growth in January and February to 30% in March and April.

Additionally, a growing number of vehicles from Chinese brands contributed to demand in Europe. In 2026, 22% of all plug-in cars sold in Europe were manufactured in China, despite facing tariffs.

North America Sees Sharp Decline

North America experienced a significant downturn, with total EV and PHEV sales falling 25% year-to-date. Mexico saw an even steeper decline of 50%. In April alone, approximately 120,000 units were sold, down 28% from the previous year. Through the first four months of 2026, total sales reached roughly 450,000 units.

The Electric Vehicle Affordability Program in Canada may help boost sales later in the year.

China’s Market Shrinks 17% in 2026

China’s domestic EV and PHEV market declined 17% year-to-date in 2026, with sales dropping to around 2.8 million units. In April, roughly 850,000 units were sold, an 8% decrease from the previous year. The decline was concentrated in smaller vehicle segments due to subsidy adjustments introduced earlier in 2026.

However, local brands offset losses by increasing exports. Between January and April, China exported 1.4 million EVs and PHEVs, more than double the volume recorded in the same period in 2025.

Global Sales Overview (April 2026 vs. March 2026)