U.S. Electric Vehicle Market Shows Signs of Stabilization
The global electric vehicle market recovered during the second quarter, while the U.S. market began showing signs of stabilization after a weak start to the year, according to an analysis by Bernstein.
Global passenger electric vehicle sales, including battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, reached approximately 1.98 million units in June, up 9% year over year.
China accounted for 51% of total sales, followed by Europe with 27%, the rest of the world with 15%, and North America with 7%.
U.S. Market Begins to Stabilize
Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge said Europe and the rest of the world are currently the fastest-growing regions for electric vehicle demand, while the United States is showing signs of stabilization despite a 4% year-over-year decline.
U.S. electric vehicle sales fell to around 136,000 units in June, but Bernstein noted that the market has recorded five consecutive months of growth since reaching its low point in January.
The performance suggests that the U.S. market may have moved beyond the sharp downturn seen at the beginning of the year, although changing government incentives and demand conditions continue to create pressure.
Europe Leads Growth
Europe continued to post strong growth in electric vehicle sales, with deliveries rising 34% to approximately 539,000 units.
Meanwhile, sales in the rest of the world reached around 288,000 units, nearly double their previous level.
China, the worlds largest electric vehicle market, recorded approximately 1.02 million units in June, up 6% month over month but down 11% from a year earlier, following reductions in government incentives.
Battery-Electric Vehicles Outperform Plug-In Hybrids
Bernsteins analysis showed that demand for battery-electric vehicles remains strong, while plug-in hybrid sales have weakened.
Battery-electric vehicle sales increased 20% to approximately 1.42 million units, while plug-in hybrid sales declined 12%.
The figures indicate continued consumer interest in fully electric vehicles despite challenges facing the electric mobility market in several major economies.
BYD Leads as Tesla Gains Momentum
BYD topped the electric vehicle manufacturer rankings with approximately 283,000 units, despite a 25% decline.
Tesla ranked second with around 208,000 units, representing a 19% increase.
The figures highlight the intense competition among major electric vehicle manufacturers as growth rates continue to vary significantly from one market to another.
Battery Demand Outpaces Vehicle Sales
The growth is not limited to vehicle sales. Battery demand continues to increase at a faster rate than vehicle deliveries as automakers move toward larger-capacity battery packs.
Global demand for lithium-ion batteries increased 22% to approximately 112 GWh.
Battery manufacturer CATL also strengthened its position, increasing its market share since the beginning of the year to around 39%, compared with 36% in 2025.
The latest developments show that the electric vehicle market remains in a period of rapid transformation, with demand trends varying significantly across regions. In the United States, the market appears to be entering a new phase of stabilization following the weakness seen at the beginning of the year.
