📉 Global Electric Car Sales Dip 1% in Q1 2026 amid China and US Slowdown

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) experienced a rare contraction in the first quarter of 2026, breaking a multi-year streak of rapid growth. Despite the drop in absolute volume, EVs achieved a record Q1 market share due to a steeper decline in combustion engine sales. • Overall Figures: Just under 2.7 million electric cars were sold across 43 key markets analyzed by PwC, representing a 1% year-on-year (YoY) decline compared to Q1 2025. This contrasts sharply with the nearly 33% growth recorded across the full year of 2025. • Major Market Declines: The downturn was primarily driven by the world's largest EV markets. Sales in China plunged 20% YoY to 1.32 million vehicles, while the USA recorded an even steeper decline of 23% YoY, falling to just under 233,000 units. • European Growth: Strong performance in Europe (EU, UK, and EFTA nations) countered the slump, with sales rising 26% YoY to just under 724,000 vehicles, propelled heavily by robust demand in Germany and France. • Market Share & Outlook: Pure combustion engine sales dropped sharper by 8% YoY. As a result, the global market share for electric cars rose to an all-time first-quarter high of 16%. _Note: Summarized based on provisional market data from PwC._