Cleaner Tech
Automakers Face an ‘EV Winter’ in 2026 as Sales Growth Slows
Risks to China’s momentum, US reversals and European wavering spell trouble for electric vehicles in the year ahead.
Workers at a BYD Co. factory in Zhengzhou, China.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergGrowth in global sales of electric vehicles is expected to slow this year as China winds down some subsidies, Europe wavers on its phase-out of combustion engines, and US producers and policymakers make a U-turn from the segment.
BloombergNEF expects drivers to buy 24.3 million passenger EVs this year, an increase of only 12% on 2025 and weaker than the 23% growth in sales last year.