Global sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) reached 13.73 million units in January-August 2026, according to SNE Research. The total represented a 5.9% increase from the same period a year earlier. August sales rose 1.8% to 1.858 million units, slowing from 11.3% growth in July.
BEV sales increased 13.5% to 9.876 million units, while PHEV sales fell 9.8% to 3.849 million units. As a result, BEVs accounted for 72.0% of the market, up from 67.1%. Excluding China, global sales grew 28.9% to 6.223 million units.
BYD remained the largest automotive group by volume, despite a 16.1% decline to 2.193 million units. Its market share fell from 20.2% to 16.0%, as a 33.6% decrease in China outweighed growth in Europe and Asia excluding China. Geely ranked second with 1.360 million units, up 2.0%, while Tesla moved into third place with 1.079 million units, up 8.3%.
Among other groups, SAIC increased sales 19.5% to 864,000 units, Chery rose 35.0% to 545,000 units and Hyundai Motor Group gained 20.4% to 499,000 units. Leapmotor recorded the highest growth among the top 10 groups, rising 69.3% to 514,000 units and moving ahead of Hyundai Motor Group into eighth place.
China remained the largest regional market with 7.502 million units, but sales declined 7.8% and its global share fell to 54.7%. Europe grew 29.0% to 3.310 million units, while Asia excluding China increased 77.0% to 1.301 million units. North American sales declined 24.9% to 954,000 units, with the decrease widening to 40.4% in August. Other regions rose 156.4% to 658,000 units, led by growth in Brazil and Australia.
Global EV Sales Rise 5.9% to 13.73 Million Units
Europe and Asia (ex-China) offset declines in China and North America, but August growth slowed sharply from July.
Green marks growth, red decline and amber share loss; Leapmotor grew fastest while BYD remained largest despite contraction.
Source: sneresearch.com
