Global EV sales reached 1.1 million units in February 2026

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, specialising in EV and battery supply chain research and insights, reports that 1.1 million electric vehicles were sold globally in February 2026. The global EV market was down 11% compared to February 2025, and also down 11% compared to January 2026.

Snapshot electric vehicle sales in YTD 2026 (Jan-Feb 2026) vs YTD 2025 (Jan-Feb 2025), YTD %

• Global: 2.2 million, -8%

• China: 1.1 million, -26%

• Europe: 0.6 million, +21%

• North America: 0.17 million, -36%

• Rest of World: 0.37 million, +84%

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Data Manager, Charles Lester, commented:

“The global EV market’s divergence has sharpened further as 2026 progresses, with February’s performance underlining stark regional contrasts. Europe continues to act as the engine of growth, while North America remains in retreat and China adjusts to structural policy changes at home, even as exports accelerate.

Europe’s EV market increased 1% month-on-month in February, reaching 21% growth year-to-date, led by Germany and France, where active subsidy schemes have pushed sales up 26% and 30% respectively. Italy also recorded a record February, up 23% month-on-month and 98% year-to-date, driven by its EU-backed incentive programme.

North America remains under pressure: despite an 8% monthly increase in February, the region is still down 36% year-to-date, with sharp BEV sales declines in the US weighing on performance and prompting supply chain cutbacks. Canada’s market is also down 23% year-to-date, though policymakers are seeking to stimulate demand through reduced-tariff access for Chinese-made EVs and closer cooperation with Germany.

China’s domestic market is adjusting to the reintroduction of a purchase tax and changes to its trade-in scheme, resulting in a sharp year-on-year decline at the start of the year. However, exports remain a bright spot, with overseas shipments more than doubling year-on-year in the first two months of 2026.”

Europe

Growth in the European EV market continues to be supported by subsidy schemes in key markets within the region. The European EV market grew 1% month-on-month in February 2026, leaving the region up 21% year-to date after the first two months of the year. Two of its largest markets, Germany and France, are leading the region’s growth, with the two markets up 26% and 30%, respectively. The EV markets in both countries are supported by subsidy schemes, with Germany introducing a new scheme at the start of 2026 and France continuing the scheme it was operating at the end of 2025.

Italy’s EV market recorded its record month for EV sales in February after sales increased 23% month-on-month. The growth maintained a strong start to year for the Italian market, with EV sales up 98% year-to-date. In October 2025, the Italian government launched a generous new subsidy scheme financed by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The scheme looks to increase EV adoption among lower income households and smaller businesses, with households able to receive up to EUR11,000 (USD12,700) in support and businesses up to EUR20,000 (USD23,200).

North America

EV sales in the North American EV market grew 8% month-on month in February 2026. However, the market remains down 36% year-to-date, with the US driving the contraction. Most automakers have experienced a significant decline in EV sales in the country. Ford’s BEV sales have fallen 70% year-to-date, Honda’s have declined 81% and Kia’s have dropped 52%. The impact of the weakening US EV market is increasingly starting to spread beyond the traditional automotive industry, with SK On laying off 37% of its workforce at its facility in Georgia, US.

Canada continues to look to reinvigorate its EV market, with its PC & LDV EV market down 23% year-to-date after February 2026. Following the agreement reached between Canada and China in January 2026 that will allow Chinese made EVs into Canada at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1%, the first application window for import permits under this agreement opened on 1 March 2026. The application period will run for six months, with up to 24,500 permits to be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. In February 2026, Canada and Germany announced they intend to deepen their collaboration across the automotive and battery supply chains, which will involve expanding the trade of EVs.

China

The Chinese EV market declined by 32% in February 2026 compared with the same period last year. The market is feeling the impact of both the introduction of a purchase tax, for the first time since 2014, and adjustments to the trade-in scheme. EV sales volumes were also affected by the timing of the Chinese New Year. However, sales remain significantly lower year-on-year, despite the Chinese New Year having also largely fallen in February last year.

Many Chinese OEMs have set ambitious EV export targets for 2026. In the first two months of the year, Chinese EV exports more than doubled year-on-year, surpassing half a million units.

Rest of World (RoW)

The RoW maintained the strong start to 2026 it had in January, with EV sales increasing 78% in February 2026 compared to February 2025.

South Korea’s EV market more than tripled month-on-month to over 37,200 EV sales. This is the first time the country’s monthly PC & LDV EV sales have surpassed 30,000 units. South Korea’s penetration rate also rose to a new high, reaching 30% for the first time. The surge in sales followed the announcement of South Korea’s 2026 EV subsidy scheme, which encourages the adoption of smaller and more affordable EVs. South Korea’s EV market is highly sensitive to the introduction and expiration of subsidies and their budgets. This is a trend likely to be replicated this year, perhaps even exaggerated, as consumers who missed out on last year’s budget seek to take advantage of the 2026 budget.

The insights above were produced using data from Benchmark's EV & Battery Service. For more information, get in touch with the form below: