Global EV Sales in 2026: Europe Surges, China and US Slow

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Global electric vehicle (EV) sales are showing diverse trends in early 2026. According to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, EV sales in March 2026 reached 1.75 million units, a 66% increase compared to the previous month, February. Europe emerged as the region with the most prominent growth. For the first time, EV sales surpassed 500,000 units in a single month. On an annual basis, sales in March rose 37%. Over the first three months of 2026, EV sales in Europe totalled 1.2 million units, up 27% from the previous year. Rising fuel prices have prompted the public to switch to electric vehicles as a more economical alternative. France serves as one example. The surge in fuel prices has sparked public concerns over fuel availability, leading to a 69% increase in EV sales in the country in March 2026. In the UK, sales also rose 31%, partly influenced by the tradition of changing vehicle number plates in that month. On the other hand, the Chinese market is still undergoing adjustments. Sales in March 2026 increased sharply compared to February, in line with economic activities returning to normal after the Lunar New Year holiday.