In April 2026, global electric vehicle (EV) demand continued to rise for the second consecutive month, with registrations of new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increasing by 6% year-on-year to reach 1.6 million units, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI). However, sales fell 9% compared to March 2026. The surge in demand is largely attributed to rising petrol prices amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, as well as government incentives promoting EV adoption. In Europe, registrations soared by 27%, totaling around 400,000 units, while countries in the European Economic Area and Switzerland invested nearly $235 billion in their EV ecosystems. Conversely, China's EV registrations fell by 8% to approximately 850,000 vehicles, influenced by the expiration of tax breaks and support for auto trade-ins. Despite this, Chinese manufacturers increased exports, with over 400,000 EVs shipped abroad in April alone. In the US, registrations dropped by 28% to 120,000 units following the end of a tax credit scheme and proposed regulatory changes. Meanwhile, Mexico experienced a 50% increase in EV sales, while Canada saw a 7% decline.