IEA forecasts electric vehicles to claim 29% of global car sales in 2026
The International Energy Agency (IEA) raised its outlook for electric vehicles, projecting that EVs will account for 29% of all new car sales worldwide in 2026, amounting to about 23 million units. The agency noted a 35% jump in global EV sales in the second quarter of 2026 versus the first quarter, driven by soaring fuel prices after the Middle‑East oil shock. Record‑high sales were reported in 50 countries, with markets such as Australia, Brazil, India, South Korea and Vietnam roughly doubling year‑on‑year.
Europe continued to lead the transition, posting a 30% increase in EV registrations in 2025, outpacing North America. In the United States, hybrid vehicle registrations overtook pure‑EV registrations in California during the first half of 2025, giving traditional dealers a temporary edge. Chinese manufacturers are intensifying competition, with Geely’s EX2 becoming China’s best‑selling model in 2025 (450 000 units) and the brand preparing a rollout across the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that Chinese automakers could enter the U.S. market within the next decade, underscoring the growing global pressure on established Western manufacturers.
Entities: China · European Union · Fatih Birol · Geely · International Energy Agency · Jim Farley
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Geely’s EX2 was the best‑selling car in China in 2025 with 450,000 units and is being launched in the United Kingdom and Europe. (Geely)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Global electric‑vehicle sales rose 35% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter. (IEA)
- [● 2 SOURCES] EV sales increased in 50 countries in Q2 2026, with Australia, Brazil, India, South Korea and Vietnam roughly doubling year‑on‑year. (IEA)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Europe’s electric‑vehicle registrations grew 30% in 2025, outpacing growth in North America. (industry data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The International Energy Agency raised its forecast for electric vehicles to 29% of global new‑car sales in 2026. (IEA)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hybrid vehicle registrations topped electric‑vehicle registrations in California during the first half of 2025. (industry data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The IEA expects about 23 million electric vehicles to be sold worldwide in 2026. (IEA)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that Chinese automakers could enter the U.S. market within the next decade. (Jim Farley)