Global new PHEV sales have slipped for the fourth straight month, with the latest figures showing an 18.7% drop in April compared with a year earlier.
Overall market contraction continues
Data compiled by EV Volumes and analyzed by Autovista24 indicate 445,290 plug‑in hybrids were delivered worldwide in April 2026. That follows an 18.4% decline in cumulative deliveries for the first four months of the year, totalling 1,647,988 units.
Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) posted a rebound. April saw 1,145,015 BEVs sold, a 13.6% increase over April 2025, pushing the four‑month total to 3,843,575 units, up 2.5% year‑on‑year.
Related: New Nissan Leaf revives legacy
China remains the biggest market, but its slump deepens
China accounted for 53.5% of all new PHEV sales from January through April, yet deliveries fell 35.5% compared with the same period in 2025. The slowdown in the world’s largest auto market weighed heavily on the global numbers.
In the BEV segment, the country still held the largest share at 45.6% despite an 18.1% decline. Growth in Europe helped offset the loss, with Germany, the United Kingdom and France all posting strong increases in BEV deliveries.
European PHEV growth cannot fill the gap
Germany delivered the second‑largest volume of plug‑in hybrids, representing 6.3% of global PHEV sales. Deliveries rose 18% year‑on‑year, but the gain was insufficient to counterbalance the Chinese downturn.
Other European markets posted impressive percentage gains—49.8% in the United Kingdom, 106.6% in Italy and 68.4% in Spain—but the absolute numbers remained modest compared with China’s scale.
Related: BYD sales slump in China market
Top‑selling PHEV models see mixed results
BEV segment dominated by Tesla and rivals
In the BEV arena, the Tesla Model Y topped both the monthly and cumulative tables. April deliveries rose 29.6% to 70,607 units, giving the vehicle a 6.2% share of global BEV sales.
The Model 3 followed with a 3.3% market share and 125,168 cumulative sales, though its April deliveries fell 4.6%.
Geely’s Geome Xingyuan (EX2) secured second place in April with a 17.2% increase to 42,495 units, representing 3.7% of the market. Xiaomi’s SU7, despite a 6.3% drop, held a 2.3% share with 26,826 units sold.
BYD’s Seagull (Dolphin Surf) saw a 37.9% decline to 23,642 units in April, yet its cumulative tally remained at 90,905 units, a 2.4% share.
Related: First Car to Feature Six Speed Transmission
Looking beyond the numbers
While the PHEV segment contracts, the BEV market appears resilient, buoyed by strong performance in Europe and steady demand in China. Analysts note that policy incentives and consumer preferences are increasingly favouring fully electric powertrains.
BEV growth steadies.
For additional context on plug‑in hybrids, see the Wikipedia entry on plug‑in hybrids.