China becomes the world’s first nation to sell over a million EVs in a month

China is smashing it out of the metaphorical park when it comes to electric vehicle adoption. According to figures published by London-based research house Rho Motion, China sold over one million EVs in August alone.

Globally, the number of plug-in hybrid and battery-electric cars being sold is up 20 per cent year-to-date, with 9.8 million sales in total. China accounts for six of those millions, with growth up by 33 per cent on the same timeframe in 2023.

Comparatively, the US and Canada recorded nine per cent growth, while Europe and the UK's numbers (as an economic region) dipped four per cent in the same period. It’s the first time the area has recorded negative sales. Oh dear.

Despite Portugal, Belgium, the UK and France all having higher EV sales than last year, Germany's really struggled to shift away from pure fuel. So much so, the 23 per cent fall in that market has skewed the figures for the whole area, and it's prompted the German government to introduce tax breaks for companies.

Despite facing potentially higher import tariffs, brands such as BYD, Jaecoo and Hongqi don't seem phased by the continent's lack of battery-electric enthusiasm, bringing models and big ambitions to Europe as we speak.

Earlier in the month, Volvo publicised plans to prioritise hybrids over fully electric cars in Europe in the coming years. It's not all electric avenue, mind. Chinese brand Omoda has brought petrol powertrains, acknowledging that they'll still be relevant during this historic automotive transition.