Electric vehicles market share worldwide 2014-2023

Electric vehicles amounted to nearly 16 percent of global passenger car sales in 2023, which was a rise of around 2.8 percentage points year-over-year. Electric vehicle sales have rapidly increased since 2017, when they rose above one percent of the market, and have particularly accelerated since 2020. Many consumers started looking for more sustainable transportation methods amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased environmental consciousness. This contributed to the EV market expansion worldwide.

A market driven by innovation

Various factors contribute to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, including consumer perception, governmental targets, and investments in technological innovation. Regional institutions and national governments are committing to policies supporting electric vehicle adoption worldwide, with around 97 percent of the light-duty vehicle market comprising countries with these policies. Governmental spending on electric cars reached around 45 billion current U.S. dollars in 2022, the steepest increase recorded in the past five years, and global automakers are also allocating part of their revenue toward research and development expenses.

Challenges and opportunities for EV charging

Electric vehicle charging was the second technology type receiving the most early and growth-stage venture capital investments in 2023, above electric vars and electric two-wheelers. In 2023, there were around 11 electric vehicles per charging point worldwide, and access to this infrastructure was unequal, with China boasting the largest electric vehicle supply equipment network. Slow chargers, typically alternating current, were also the most common charging type, creating opportunities for the development of fast charging across the globe.