If you thought the electric vehicle revolution was slowing down, think again — unless you're in North America. Global EV and plug-in hybrid registrations hit 1.6 million in April, a 6% jump from the same month last year, according to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence cited by Reuters. The surge comes as high gas prices and uncertainty over the Iran war continue to make internal combustion engines look less appealing.
But here's the twist: North America is moving in the opposite direction. Registrations across the continent fell 28% in April to just 120,000 units. That's a stark contrast to the global trend, and it's largely a story of policy whiplash.
Why North America Is Cooling Off
The Trump administration's decision to relax emissions standards and end the $7,500 federal EV credit (which expired at the end of September 2025) has taken a toll. General Motors (GM) has paused its EV efforts, and demand has softened across the board. Not everyone is hitting the brakes, though. Ford (Ford) is pushing ahead with a universal EV platform that will underpin a $30,000 pickup truck and eventually help develop Level-3 autonomous driving. And Tesla's (Tesla) Model Y remains a popular choice in the U.S.
Mexico is a bright spot, with sales nearly 50% higher so far this year. Canada, meanwhile, saw a 7% dip, but that could rebound if the country reintroduces incentives for zero-emission vehicles under the iZEV program.
Europe Charges Ahead
Across the Atlantic, Europe reported a 27% year-over-year jump in April, with 400,000 registrations. Countries in the European Economic Area have committed a whopping $235 billion to EVs, and it's showing. Chinese automakers are also making inroads: over 22% of EVs and plug-in hybrids sold in Europe are now of Chinese origin.
China: Exports Boom, Domestic Market Slips
Chinese automakers shipped over 400,000 vehicles overseas in April, and total exports from January to April have already reached 1.4 million units. But domestically, registrations fell 8% year-over-year to about 850,000 units, as incentives in China also wound down.
Chinese EVs face a de facto ban in the U.S. due to privacy concerns, but that could change after a key meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. BYD (BYD) Executive Vice President Stella Li said the company is "successful" despite being denied entry into the U.S. market.
Newsom Sounds the Alarm
California Governor Gavin Newsom isn't happy about the U.S. slowdown. He slammed the Trump administration for dismantling "good-paying jobs" and manufacturing capabilities, arguing that China's auto industry is surging globally as a result. "America is losing the EV race," he said.
Whether the U.S. can reverse course remains to be seen. But for now, the global EV story is one of divergence: the rest of the world is accelerating, while North America is tapping the brakes.
