EV sales hit monthly global record

Global electric vehicle sales hit an all-time monthly high in September, with 2.1 million units sold, according to market intelligence firm Rho Motion.

Rho Motion’s snapshot for the year to September shows 14.7 million EVs sold globally (+26%), including nine million in China (+24%), three million in Europe (+32%), 1.5 million in North America (+11%) and 1.2 million in the rest of the world (+48%).

“Global EV sales topped two million units in a single month for the first time, driven by record-breaking demand across major markets,” Rho Motion data manager Charles Lester says.

“The US surged ahead as buyers raced to claim expiring tax credits, the UK hit new highs on the back of fresh registration plates and the Electric Car Grant, and South Korea set records thanks to Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, and rising BYD imports.”

Europe

Europe recorded 427,000 EV sales in September, a monthly record — up 36% year on year and 55% month on month.

The UK hit a new high, supported by September’s new registration plates and the Electric Car Grant introduced in July. Battery EV sales rose about 30% year on year, while plug-in hybrids climbed nearly 60%.

Germany is expected to see a renewed lift after approval of a €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) incentive package for 2026 onward, targeting low- and middle-income households with purchase and leasing support. Italy’s market expanded by about two-thirds year on year, while Spain more than doubled.

North America

The United States posted a second straight monthly record as buyers rushed to secure federal incentives that expired on September 30. Sales were 66% higher than a year earlier, driven by the 30D consumer credit on about 20 BEV models and the 45W credit that supported competitive leasing.

Rho Motion expects demand to soften sharply in the fourth quarter as incentives lapse. Some manufacturers have moved to cushion the impact: Hyundai has cut prices, while production pullbacks include GM suspending one shift at Spring Hill, Tennessee; Mercedes-Benz pausing four EV lines; Volkswagen halting ID.4 output in Tennessee at the end of October; and Nissan cancelling US EV production plans.

China

China remained the world’s largest EV market, with 1.3 million sales in September driven by record battery-electric volumes. BEV sales rose 28% year on year to just over 0.8 million, while PHEVs (including range-extended EVs) edged 2% lower to 0.47 million.
Year to date, China has sold nearly nine million EVs, up 24%.

Rho Motion defines EVs as passenger and light-duty vehicles, excluding e-scooters and heavy commercial vehicles.