Electric car sales in Europe jump 49% as global EV sales rise

Global electric vehicle sales climbed 8% in October, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in Europe jumping 49% and North America posting its first year-over-year increase in 2026. But this North American rebound comes with a big problem.

Drivers purchased 2.09 million electric vehicles worldwide last month, according to new data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. That’s down 3% from September, but brings sales for the first 10 months of 2026 to 17.5 million, up 5% from the same period last year.

Benchmark’s figures include both BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in the passenger car and light vehicle markets.

European growth continues to grow

Europe sold 510,000 electric vehicles in October, an increase of 36% year-on-year. Fully electric cars did most of the work: BEV sales increased 49%, while plug-in hybrids increased 7%.

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This puts October’s growth ahead of the 31% increase recorded in Europe for the year so far. The region has now sold 4.5 million electric vehicles in 2026.

Sales fell 17% from September’s record, but September was boosted by the UK’s bi-annual number plate change. Year-over-year figures give a clearer idea of ​​how quickly the market is growing.

The share of electric vehicles in Germany has exceeded 45% of new car sales, its highest level since December 2022. That previous peak came as buyers rushed to buy cars before subsidy cuts took effect. Sales of fully electric cars in Germany increased by almost 80% compared to the previous year, to more than 95,000 units.

Sales of electric vehicles in the UK have increased by 30%. This is particularly notable because the Electric Car Grant was already available in October 2025, although fewer models were eligible then. This growth therefore comes up against a market which already benefited from government support.

And in Portugal, electric vehicles accounted for 55% of new car sales in October, following a sharp increase in market share in recent months.

North America’s recovery needs context

Sales of electric vehicles in North America rose 24% year-over-year to 130,000 in October, the region’s first annual increase in 2026. Sales remained flat from September, while the year-to-date decline narrowed to 21%, from 24% a month earlier. The region has sold 1.3 million electric vehicles so far this year.

Sales of electric vehicles in the United States reached around 110,000 units in October.

But here’s the catch: October 2025 was the first month after the federal electric vehicle tax credit expired. The credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, and sales fell sharply thereafter.

October 2026 is therefore compared to a month where sales fell. A positive annual figure does not mean that US demand has returned to its pre-expiration level.

“October is the first month compared to a period without a U.S. federal tax credit, and the U.S. market has stabilized at a lower level rather than recovering,” said Charles Lester, Benchmark’s chief data officer.

The flat month-over-month number helps tell this story: Sales have stabilized, but the market is operating from a lower base.

China’s share of electric vehicles rises even as sales fall

China sold 1.14 million electric vehicles in October, up 5% from September but down 12% year-on-year. This annual decline was lower than the 18% drop recorded in September.

Sales through October reached 9.1 million, down 11%, compared to a 13% year-to-date decline through the end of September.

Even with fewer electric vehicles sold, their share of China’s new car market has reached a new high. This is because the broader passenger car market is shrinking more quickly.

Chinese automakers continue to produce vehicles and seek buyers overseas. Passenger car exports of new energy vehicles – China’s category covering BEVs and PHEVs – reached nearly 600,000 in October. This is another monthly record, up from 558,000 recorded in September.

These exports will face more pressure in the future. The EU has agreed to cap imports of Chinese-made hybrids, and China will reduce its VAT cut on exports of electric vehicles from 13% to 9% from April 1, 2027.

Other markets are growing rapidly, with some caveats

Outside of China, Europe and North America, electric vehicle sales increased 85% year-on-year to 300,000 units in October. These markets have purchased 2.6 million electric vehicles so far in 2026, an increase of 93%.

Sales in Australia jumped more than 200% in October and electric vehicles have strongly gained market share this year. But that hasn’t translated into healthy profits for dealers, according to Benchmark. More brands, many of them Chinese, are competing for buyers, spreading sales among more companies and squeezing dealer margins.

Brazil’s growth has also been enormous, although Benchmark cautions that some of its drivers are temporary. Importers introduced vehicles ahead of gradual tariff increases, a fuel crisis pushed more buyers toward electric vehicles and BYD increased production at its Brazilian factory.

As rate increases take full effect and pressure on fuel prices ease, Benchmark expects these increases to fade. BYD’s local production, which will also supply Argentina and Mexico, is expected to become the main remaining support for this growth.

Learn more: Europe’s EV sales soar as North America falls 44% – here’s the catch

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