Electric Cars to Make Up a Quarter of Global Sales in 2025

More than 20% of Global Car Sales are EVs

The Global EV Report is developed by the Electric Vehicles Initiative and draws on the latest data to assess trends in electric vehicle deployment, demand for their batteries and charging infrastructure. It considers recent policy developments and industry strategies shaping the outlook for electric vehicles around the world.

Electric Car Sales exceeded 17 million globally in 2024

Just the additional 3.5 million electric cars sold in 2024 compared with the previous year is more than the total number of electric cars sold worldwide in 2020. China maintained its lead, with electric cars accounting for almost half of all car sales in 2024. The over 11 million electric cars sold in China last year were more than global sales just two years earlier. As a result of continued strong growth, one in ten cars on Chinese roads is now electric.  

Europe saw sales stagnate in 2024 as subsidy schemes and other supportive policies waned, but the sales share of electric cars remained around 20% as stronger sales in some countries compensated for lower sales in others. In the United States, electric car sales grew by about 10% year-on-year, reaching more than 1 in 10 cars sold.

Emerging markets in Asia and Latin America

In Southeast Asia, electric car sales grew by nearly 50% to represent 9% of all car sales in the region, with notably higher sales shares in Thailand and Viet Nam. In Brazil, the largest car market in Latin America, electric car sales more than doubled to 125 000 in 2024, reaching a sales share of over 6%.  

Sales in Africa also more than doubled, too, mostly thanks to growing sales in Egypt and Morocco, though electric cars still represent less than 1% of total car sales across the continent. Policy support and relatively affordable electric car imports from China played a central role in increasing sales in some emerging electric vehicle (EV) markets, accounting for 85% of electric car sales in both Brazil and Thailand.  

Across all emerging economies outside of China, Chinese imports made up 75% of the increase in electric car sales in 2024. 

One Quarter of Cars sold in 2025 will be Electric

Electric car sales in 2025 are expected to exceed 20 million worldwide to represent more than one-quarter of cars sold worldwide. Sales were up 35% year-on-year in the first three months of 2025, with record first-quarter sales in all major markets.

In China, the continuation of incentives for replacing older vehicles and falling electric car prices mean electric cars are projected to reach around 60% of total car sales in the country in 2025. Emissions standards in the European Union and the United Kingdom will require higher shares of zero-emission car sales in 2025.

While the 2025 outlook for electric car sales in the United States is uncertain based on recent policy direction, sales are currently expected to maintain the 10% growth observed in the first quarter. Consumers are clearly taking advantage of existing tax credits in view of their potential repeal.  

Electric car sales are projected to reach 11% of total car sales over the full year. In emerging economies other than China, sales are expected to continue growing strongly, increasing by 50% to reach 1 million in 2025.

EV Growth by Region – 2024 & 2025 Outlook

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