EV Sales Scoreboard: US, EU, China and Korea Monthly — 2026-10-18
Global EV sales fell 2% in September 2026, ending a six-month growth streak as a 44% plunge in North America offset record-breaking highs in Europe. China's market saw internal combustion engine (ICE) sales crash by 49%, pushing the EV penetration rate to a historic high of 67%. In the US, analysts note that demand remains robust despite policy shifts, with sales showing signs of stabilization.
EV Sales Scoreboard: US, EU, China and Korea Monthly — 2026-10-18
Top developments
Global Sales Dip as Regional Divergence Widens
Global EV sales reached 2.15 million units in September 2026, a 2% decline from the previous month, marking the end of six consecutive months of growth. This dip was driven by a sharp 44% year-on-year drop in North America, where sales fell to approximately 130,000 units. In contrast, Europe set a new monthly record with nearly 600,000 EVs sold, representing a 39% year-on-year increase.
China’s ICE Sales Crash 49% as EV Share Hits 67%
In China, the transition to electric vehicles accelerated dramatically in September, with ICE vehicle sales crashing by 49% year-on-year. Consequently, the new energy vehicle (NEV) penetration rate jumped to 67%, a historic high for the market. This shift indicates that for every 10 new cars sold in China, only 3 are now powered by internal combustion engines, driven by aggressive pricing and model availability.
US Market Shows "Signs of Life" Despite Policy Void
Despite the expiration of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, US EV sales are showing signs of recovery, growing for three consecutive quarters. Analysts argue that the market is not stalled due to a lack of consumer interest, but rather due to inventory and pricing adjustments following the policy change. The "catch" in the North American decline is partly attributed to comparison against a previous period of elevated sales driven by pre-credit expiration purchases.
Germany’s KBA Data Confirms EVs Are One-Third of New Registrations
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) reported that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for over one-third (34.5%) of all new car registrations in Germany in September. This represents a 95% increase in EV registrations compared to the previous year, driven partly by the revived "Umweltbonus" purchase premium. Hybrids remain popular, but the rapid rise of BEVs signals a decisive shift in the German market.
Local view
Germany (Handelsblatt & Electrive.net): German media highlights the "boom" in electric car registrations, attributing the surge to high fuel prices and the new government purchase premium. Handelsblatt notes that the share of pure electric vehicles is now higher than ever, while Electrive.net emphasizes that BEVs have overtaken plug-in hybrids in market share momentum.
China (Sina News & Phoenix Auto): Chinese outlets report on the "end of the ICE era," with Sina News noting that NEV penetration hit 61.2% in early October. Phoenix Auto cites CPCA data showing that while total passenger vehicle retail sales fell 24% year-on-year in early October, the NEV segment remains resilient, with manufacturers pushing wholesale penetration rates to 78.1%.
Context & numbers
- Global Volumes: 2.15 million EVs sold in September 2026; 15.5 million year-to-date.
- Europe: Record ~600,000 EVs sold in September; +39% YoY.
- North America: ~130,000 EVs sold in September; -44% YoY.
- China: NEV penetration rate at 67% (September); ICE sales down 49%.
- Germany: BEV share of new registrations at 34.5% (September); +95% YoY.
On the radar
- US Inventory Adjustments: Watch for Q4 inventory clearance events as US automakers adjust to the post-tax-credit landscape.
- China’s "Golden September, Silver October": Track whether the 67% penetration rate holds or expands as October sales data is finalized, given the typical seasonal boost.
- European Policy Reviews: With BEV share hitting 30% in some EU markets, monitor EU regulatory responses to the rapid pace of adoption.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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