EV demand climbs in April as gas car costs lose ground

Global electric vehicle (EV) demand continued its upward trajectory in April. New figures from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence show high petrol prices boosted global EV demand for a second consecutive month in April, displacing combustion-engine vehicles.

Recent registrations within the month were up 6% YOY to 1.6 million new pure electrics and plug-in hybrids, albeit down 9% from the record-setting month in March. The figures suggest that while short-term volatility persists in the market, the broader adoption trend remains intact.

Market data also shows Europe is anchoring most of the global EV market gains, whereas momentum in both China and North America has noticeably softened. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data manager Charles Lester confirmed, “Europe remains the main engine of growth.”

How did Europe fare against the rest of the world in EV sales?

The BMI identified three core pillars behind the EV demand spike: supportive regulatory frameworks, elevated fuel costs, and aggressive market expansion by Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). The Middle East tensions remain a major factor behind high petrol prices and, by extension, the shift in sales.

According to the research platform, authorities’ continued efforts to stabilize fuel prices amid the conflict in Iran have affected a major oil shipping lane.

In April, Europe’s sales exceeded 400,000 units, up 27% year over year. Performance indicators show Germany and France posting year-to-date EV sales increases of 33% and 36%, respectively, while Italy’s market has nearly doubled through regulatory subsidies. Moreover, research shows that nations within the European Economic Area, along with Switzerland, have allocated close to €200 billion (US$235 billion) to bolster their regional EV networks.

However, a rollback of automotive trade-in policies and the expiration of purchase tax exemptions led to an 8% annual decline in China’s April EV registrations, bringing the total to around 850,000 vehicles.

Nonetheless, Chinese carmakers strengthened their foothold internationally, with EV exports surpassing 400,000 units in April and total vehicle shipments nearly doubling to 1.4 million units in the first four months of 2026.

Not to mention, even with EU tariffs, Chinese brands are selling more cars in Europe; BMI data shows they made up 22% of EV and plug-in hybrid sales in early 2026, up from 19% last year.

Meanwhile, EV demand in North America also weakened in April, with registrations down 28% to 120,000 units after the US scrapped a tax credit scheme and considered easing emissions standards. On the other hand, sales in Mexico shot up by almost 50% in 2026, while Canadian sales fell by 7%. Nevertheless, a new rewards program should help Canada bounce back soon.

Europe also saw strong EV sales in March

Q1 2026 global EV sales hit 4 million, though slightly down 3% year-over-year. The quarterly dip was partially offset by March’s 1.75 million registrations, which surged 66% from February and 3% from the prior year.

Even in March, Europe saw the most growth in EV sales, with sales surpassing 500,000 units for the first time. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain achieved peak BEV sales figures. The UK also saw solid sales, with year-over-year growth of 31%.

Even then, elevated fuel costs noticeably influenced consumer purchasing patterns. French gas shortages and panic buying shifted consumer behavior, boosting year-over-year BEV sales by 69%—well above the 36% growth seen in early 2026. Some automakers also backed off their plans. At the time, Honda shut its 0 Series lineup of EVs and shuttered its joint Afeela models with Sony.

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