Global EV demand rises again as Europe offsets China, U.S. weakness

By Mathias de Rozario

July 10 (Reuters) - Global demand for electric vehicles rose for a fourth straight month in June, driven by strong growth in Europe as sales weakened in China and North America, data from consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence showed on Friday.

Registrations of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles climbed 7% from a year earlier to 2 million in June, while first-half volumes were up 2%.

• Europe EV registrations rose 31% to about 530,000 units, a record for June

• BMI says Europe remains the main engine of EV growth

• China registrations fell 11% to around 1 million vehicles

• North America registrations fell 13% following the end of U.S. EV tax credits

• Chinese automakers continue expanding overseas amid weaker domestic demand

(Reporting by Mathias de Rozario in Gdansk; Editing by Matt Scuffham)