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Global EV sales hit 2 million in June – and the US falls further behind
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Global electric vehicle sales surpassed 2 million units in June 2026, marking a new milestone that masks widening disparities among major markets. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, year-to-date sales reached 9.6 million, up 7% year over year and 11% from May. The growth is driven primarily by Europe, while the United States continues to lose ground due to policy changes, and China shifts toward exports as domestic demand softens.
Europe posted 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. Government incentives, high gas prices, and a growing lineup of affordable models have fueled the surge. Renault captured a 20% share of France's EV market, with its new Twingo becoming the country's third-best-selling EV. Volkswagen Group also began delivering its affordable ID.Polo, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq across Europe, expanding lower-cost options for buyers.
In contrast, North American EV sales declined 20% year to date, a drop Benchmark attributes to the end of the U.S. federal EV tax credit last September. While sales have not collapsed, momentum has clearly stalled. General Motors and Ford saw their all-electric sales fall even further than the overall market as both companies reevaluate their strategies. Canada, however, hit a notable milestone by receiving its first Chinese-built Lotus Eletre SUVs under a tariff quota agreement that reduces duties from 100% to 6.1%.
China's domestic EV market weakened further, with June sales down 11% year over year and year-to-date sales down 14%. To counteract the slowdown, Chinese automakers doubled down on exports, shipping nearly 500,000 new energy vehicles in June—a monthly record. Europe remains a key destination, particularly for plug-in hybrids, after the European Union imposed tariffs on Chinese battery EVs in 2024. The strategy has boosted PHEV sales, though the European Commission may extend tariffs to those vehicles as well.
Benchmark Senior EV Analyst George Whitcombe noted that Europe 'remains the main engine of growth after another record month,' also citing a wave of new small electric cars that are finally profitable and affordable. He emphasized that affordable EVs have long been a missing piece in Europe's transition, and now buyers are seeing more choice at lower prices. The rest of the world, excluding China, Europe, and North America, saw EV sales surge 98% year over year, reaching 1.4 million year to date.
The diverging trends have significant implications for global automakers and policymakers. Europe's aggressive adoption could accelerate infrastructure investments and further price reductions, while the U.S. risks falling behind in the race for EV leadership. China's export push may reshape trade dynamics, especially if tariffs expand. Looking ahead, continued policy support and affordable model availability will be critical to sustaining growth in all markets, with Europe likely to maintain its lead in the near term.
