Governments have set different timelines for when 100% of the vehicles produced should be electric:
Not only are the governments leading the way with various omission policies and grants for EV owners, but people themselves are increasingly opting for EVs due to concerns about the environment.
This all has resulted in a 92% spike in EV sales during the first half of 2019, opening the way toward a greener future for everyone.
Below, we’ll take a look at how many EVs are at the road, EV sales in the US and around the world, EV user demographics and some interesting stats about EVs.
Global EV Market Outlook – How Many EVs Are There on the Road?
According to the IEA report, the total number of EVs on the road in the beginning of 2019 jumped to 5.6 million, an increase of 63% from the previous year.
Unofficial reports claim the number of EVs to be 6 million. In 2017, the total number of EVs was at 3 million. [IEA]
Percentage of Electric Cars in the World (China, US, Europe)
Of the 5.6 million, around 45% of electric cars on the road in 2018 were in China – a total of 2.3 million – compared to 39% in 2017. In comparison, Europe accounted for 24% of the global fleet, and the United States 22%.
This data shows that as of the end of 2018, Norway had the highest percentage of people buying and using EVs (2.1%), as well as the most EVs per capita – 55.9 of units per 1,000 people.
In China, this number is merely 1.6 per 1,000 people but China has by far the highest number of EVs on the road – over 2.2 million. The world average is 0.7 per 1,000 people. [Wikipedia]
According to the figures for 2019, Germany is now the largest market for EVs, with 50,000 new sales in the first half of 2019. Norway follows in second place. [EV Volumes]
For those wondering what is the number of electric vehicles in the US – there are over 1.1 million electric vehicles in the US with 3.4 EVs per 1000 people.
EV Sales Around the World
To promote electric car adoption, governments have established grants and tax credit on purchase of new electric cars.
The U.S. government offers a federal income tax credit up to $7,500, and several states have additional incentives.
The UK offers a Plug-in Car Grant up to a maximum of £4,500 ($5,929). In Europe, some countries are offering purchase grants from €4,000 to €6,000.
Despite a decline in global auto sales entering its third year, which analysts call at “peak car”, EVs share in new sales continue to increase. Namely, global sales figures show us that 4.89 million EV units were sold between January and October of 2019, marking an increase of 20% in comparison to the same period the year before. [JATO]
What Percentage of Cars Sold are Electric in the US?
In 2019, around 17 million light vehicles were sold in the U.S., including approximately 4.7 million cars and 12.2 million light truck units. (Statista) Of this number, 245,000 were EVs – 1.44% (or 5.21% if you only count cars). (Statista)
Within the U.S., some states were far ahead of the rest in terms of EV take-up in 2018, with California regularly topping the tables. In both 2017 and 2018, EV market shares in California amounted to 5.02% and 7.84% respectively. Here’s how the situation looked like for California and 10 other states behind it:
Who Are the Main EV Makers?
The major manufacturers of EVs include:
- Tesla
- BAIC
- BMW
- Nissan
- Chevrolet
- Ford
- Volkswagen
- Kia
As of September 2019, the two best-selling electric vehicles were the Tesla Model S and the Nissan Leaf. They have EPA-rated ranges reaching up to 370 miles (600 km) and 151 miles (243 km), respectively. [Green Car Reports, Tesla]
Tesla Market Share
More than 300,000 Tesla’s Model 3 were sold in 2019, making it the most popular plug-in electric vehicle. [Statista]
Tesla dominated electric vehicle sales in the United States again in 2019 as it sold 80% of all electric vehicles in the US. Whereas the Tesla Model 3 was the 9th best selling car in the country and had more than 150,000 sales in the USA.
Tesla has increased its share on the U.S. automotive market over the course of 2019, gradually rising it to roughly 1.3%. In terms of the U.S. EV market itself, Tesla is the ultimate market leader in EV sales.
Tesla Market Share in the UK
In 2019, around 2.7 million motor vehicles were sold in the UK, of which 3.15% were EVs, which equals to roughly 85,050 EVs units sold. Tesla’s market share in the UK rose to 2.2% in September 2019, delivering a total of 6,244 units during the year’s third quarter. [Market Realist]
Tesla Market Share in Europe
In 2019, there were 564,206 EVs sold in Europe. As per data from July 2019, Tesla’s market share in Europe jumped from 0.16% to 0.54% year on year in the first half of 2019. [Jato]
Tesla Market Share in China
Tesla was the 8th best-selling EV in China – the biggest EV market – in the first half of 2019, selling a total of 21,830 units. (Inside EVs) Between January and June, approximately 430,700 battery electric vehicles were sold in China, which equals to Tesla market share of 5.07% among EVs. [Statista]
EV User Demographics
According to a survey conducted in the Nordic countries in 2018, EVs are more popular among men who reported more driving experience with such vehicles (28.7% men vs. 15.4% of women).
A research by Hedges & Company revealed less than 1% of new EV buyers are age 24 and younger. The percentage is the highest in the 25-54 age group – 46%. The 55-64 age group contains 22% of new EV buyers, while 32% of respondents in the age group of 65+ have bought an EV.
EVs are mostly purchased by buyers with household income of over $100,000 (60%). [Hedges & Company]
Electric Vehicle Range Anxiety – A Thing of the Past
Range anxiety is a fear associated and primarily used in reference to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) where an individual fears the vehicle has insufficient range to reach its destination. Apart from cost and charging infrastructure, it is one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption of electric vehicles.
Apparently range anxiety is a real thing and according to GM president, the sweet spot of 300 miles of electric range is what it takes for most people to feel comfortable in an EV. Though the number of EV charging stations at home is increasing which means a lot of customers are moving towards owing electric vehicles.
The range of top-selling EVs has risen 20% since 2011 and as automakers enter mass production, the range is expected to improve. Today, the median EV range is more than 125 miles while the top end is 335 miles.
According to CleanTechnica, Average range of EV will be 400 miles by 2028.
Where in the World Is It the Cheapest to Drive an EV?
The cheapest place to drive an EV in is Chile, where it costs approximately $0.27 per mile. Below you see what it would cost to charge up a Tesla Model S with a 100 kWh battery pack.
Bear in mind electricity prices vary, not just from country to country, but from state to state in some countries. This is a generalized overview.
| Country | Price of kW in USD | Cost to Charge Fully in USD | Cost per Mile in USD | Cost per 100 Miles in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | 0.07 | 7.00 | 0.27 | 27 |
| Australia | 0.11 | 11.00 | 0.42 | 4.25 |
| Canada | 0.11 | 11.00 | 0.42 | 4.25 |
| Korea | 0.12 | 12.00 | 0.46 | 4.63 |
| Estonia | 0.13 | 13.00 | 0.50 | 5.02 |
| United States | 0.13 | 13.00 | 0.50 | 5.02 |
| Norway | 0.20 | 20.00 | 0.77 | 7.72 |
| Japan | 0.22 | 22.00 | 0.85 | 8.49 |
| United Kingdom | 0.22 | 22.00 | 0.85 | 8.49 |
| Germany | 0.33 | 33.00 | 1.27 | 12.74 |
| Denmark | 0.34 | 34.00 | 1.31 | 13.13 |
In the period 2011-2019, the prices of battery EVs have decreased in China by almost half, while they have increased in the West by 42-55%. In China, a battery EV costing the equivalent of $1 in 2011, would cost $0.52 in 2019. In contrast, the same car costing $1 in 2011, would now cost $1.55 in the US and $1.42 in Europe. [JATO]
Interesting Facts
- The EV market is still driven by early adopters rather than the mainstream.
- California has seen EVs capture 8% of new sales (all-electric and plug-in hybrid), the rest of the country has not yet caught on.
- China is the biggest EV market, with more than 2.2 million units on the roads.
- Norway saw the highest market share in EVs in 2017.
- Norway plans to go 100% electric by 2025.
- Battery costs are dropping fast over time.
- EV sales spiked by 92% in the H1 2019.
- Some countries, like the USA, the UK, and Australia, offer incentives for the purchase of EVs.
- Some of the best-selling EV manufacturers include Tesla, Nissan, Chevrolet, Kia, and BAIC.
- The Tesla Model 3 was the most popular EV in 2019, with over 300,000 units sold.
- During the past eight years, the price of EVs has increased by around 50% in the West, while it has halved in China.
- EVs are the cheapest to drive an EV in is Chile, where it costs only $0.27 per mile. In Denmark, it will cost you $1.31 per mile to drive an EV.
Conclusion
Things in the EV industry and on the worldwide scale are moving in a positive and optimistic direction – systematically driving and encouraging development, sales, and popularity of EVs. If they continue on the same road, we’re definitely going to secure a better, healthier, and more sustainable world for ourselves and the generations to come.