EV Sales Scoreboard: US, EU, China and Korea Monthly — 2026-09-02
Norway achieved a historic milestone in August 2026, with electric vehicles accounting for 98.7% of new car sales, driven by strong Volkswagen performance and a decline in Tesla's share. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers reported mixed August delivery figures, with Leapmotor and Zeekr setting records while the broader Chinese NEV retail market saw a year-on-year decline. In Europe, BEV registrations surged 51% year-on-year in July, capturing a 26% market share and signaling robust growth despite broader market fluctuations.
EV Sales Scoreboard: US, EU, China and Korea Monthly — 2026-09-02
Top developments
Norway Sets New EV Record at 98.7% Market Share
In August 2026, Norway recorded a historic 98.7% market share for electric vehicles in new car sales, defying a slight overall decline in the passenger car market. Volkswagen led the sales rankings, while Tesla fell to seventh place, highlighting shifting competitive dynamics among top EV manufacturers. This achievement reinforces Norway's position as the global leader in EV adoption, with six of the ten best-selling models being fully electric.
European BEV Registrations Surge 51% in July
July 2026 saw battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in Europe surge by 51% year-on-year, reaching a market share of nearly one in four sales (26%). The Škoda Elroq led the model rankings, contributing to this significant growth as combustion-only registrations fell by 22%. This data underscores Europe's accelerating transition to electric mobility, with BEVs becoming a dominant force in the new-car market.
Chinese Automakers Report Mixed August Deliveries
Major Chinese automakers released their August 2026 delivery figures, showing divergent trends. Leapmotor and Zeekr continued to set new monthly records, while Xpeng and Li Auto returned to sequential growth after previous declines. These results highlight the intense competition within China's NEV sector, where brand-specific momentum is critical for survival.
Global EV Sales Reach 11.5 Million Units Through July
Global electric vehicle sales (including BEVs, PHEVs, and fuel cell vehicles) reached 11.5 million units through July 2026, representing a 4% year-over-year increase. China accounted for 51% of these global sales, while Europe emerged as the strongest growth market with a 33% increase. In contrast, the US market faced headwinds, with sales declining significantly due to the expiration of federal tax credits.
Local view
China: CnEVPost reports that China's passenger NEV retail sales totaled 614,000 units from August 1-23, with retail penetration rising to 64.3%. Despite a 12% year-on-year decline in retail sales during this period, the narrowing of the decline suggests stabilization after earlier volatility.
Germany: Business Insider highlights that the KBA rankings for end of August 2026 show Tesla's Model Y is no longer the most popular EV in Germany. Instead, models from VW and Škoda have gained significant popularity, reflecting a shift in consumer preference towards established European brands.
Context & numbers
- Global Share: July 2026 global EV share reached 27%, up 7% YoY.
- US Market: US EV sales dropped approximately 37% YoY in July, falling to a 6.83% market share.
- China Penetration: China's NEV retail penetration rate was 64.3% in late August, down from 65.1% in July.
- European Growth: Europe's EV sales grew 40% YoY in July, achieving a 38% share of the total car market.
On the radar
- ACEA Data Release: The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) is expected to release detailed H1 2026 registration data soon, following their preliminary report which indicated a 20.7% BEV market share.
- US Forecast: JD Power and GlobalData forecast total new-vehicle sales for August 2026 to reach 1,347,600, a 4.8% decrease YoY, suggesting continued pressure on the US auto market including EVs.
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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