Global EV sales hit 1.8 million in May as Europe races ahead

BYD Dolphin Photo: BYD

Global EV sales reached 1.8 million units in May 2026, according to new data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, bringing total sales for the first five months of the year to 7.5 million vehicles.

That was up 3% from May 2025 and 7% from April 2026.

The global picture continues to be a tale of three very different markets: Europe is booming, China is still recovering from a slow start to the year, and North America remains stuck in reverse.

RegionMay 2026, millionYear over yearMonth over monthYTD, millionsYTD 2026 vs YTD 2025China0.99-9%11%3.9-15%Europe0.4223%2%2.026%North America0.12-26%3%0.58-25%RoW0.2580%4%1.189%Global1.83%7%7.50.9%