Global EV sales rose in April 2026

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said on May 13 that 1.60 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in April 2026, up 6% from a year earlier and down 9% from March. The data, cited by Reuters and republished on May 19 by AdvancedManufacturing.org, showed global year-to-date EV sales at 5.6 million units. Reuters said higher gasoline prices tied to fighting between the United States and Iran helped support demand for alternative powertrains. The April increase came even as regional performance diverged and pure battery-electric momentum softened in some markets. ### How big was the April increase? Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said April global EV sales reached 1.60 million units. The consultancy’s snapshot put year-on-year growth at 6% and month-on-month movement at negative 9%, after what Charles Lester, its data manager, described as March’s surge. Charles Lester said in the Benchmark report that “growth moderating to 6% year-on-year” followed stronger earlier momentum. (advancedmanufacturing.org) Reuters, as summarized by AdvancedManufacturing.org, said the market increased again in April as fuel costs pushed some buyers toward electrified vehicles. ### Which regions drove the market, and which did not? (source.benchmarkminerals.com) Europe posted the strongest major-market gain in April, with sales of about 400,000 units, up 27% from a year earlier, according to Benchmark data cited by Reuters. China remained the largest market at roughly 850,000 units, but April sales there fell 8% year on year. North America was the weakest region, with sales down 28% to about 120,000 units. (advancedmanufacturing.org) Benchmark’s regional table showed the rest of the world at 240,000 units in April, up 110% from a year earlier. Year-to-date totals reached 2.8 million in China, 1.6 million in Europe, 450,000 in North America and 840,000 in the rest of the world. ### Why were gasoline prices part of the story? Reuters reported that higher gasoline prices linked to the U.S.-Iran fighting boosted interest in alternative powertrains. (theautoexec.com) The same framing appeared in AdvancedManufacturing.org’s May 19 item, which said fuel-price increases helped lift worldwide EV demand again in April. (source.benchmarkminerals.com) CNBC reported on April 2 that analysts expected the Iran war’s effect on oil markets to support EV demand, even if any broader shift away from combustion vehicles remained gradual. That made fuel costs one of several factors shaping April buying patterns. ### Why does the April gain not settle the battery-EV slowdown debate? (advancedmanufacturing.org) Business Today reported on May 18 that slower momentum in China’s pure battery-electric segment was pushing competition toward hybrids, with Geely, Changan and Chery accelerating newer hybrid platforms. SMEStreet separately reported that the same slowdown was shifting competition toward ultra-fast charging and more capable hybrids. (cnbc.com) Benchmark’s own April data showed that regional growth was uneven, with Europe offsetting declines in China and North America. That mix helps explain why overall global sales rose even as some markets showed softer battery-electric demand. ### What should readers watch next? Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said year-to-date global EV sales stood at 5.6 million through April. (advancedmanufacturing.org) The next monthly sales release from Benchmark and follow-on Reuters coverage will show whether May demand sustains the fuel-price-driven support seen in March and April, and whether Europe continues to offset weakness in North America and China. (source.benchmarkminerals.com)