Battery electric vehicle sales reach 18 percent of global market

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales grew by 11 percent year-on-year during the first eight months of 2026.

This growth occurred despite policy changes in the United States and China, which are the two largest markets for electric vehicles. While BEV sales increased, the global share of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles fell to 7 percent from 8 percent in the previous year. Sales of internal combustion engine vehicles also dropped by 6 percent during the same period.

Ember reports that strong growth outside of the United States and China drove these global figures. In these remaining markets, BEV sales rose by an estimated 45 percent between January and August 2026. Data shows that 49 out of 56 countries tracked by Ember recorded a record share of battery electric vehicle sales so far in 2026.