One in five cars sold this year will be electric, says IEA

26 April 2023 - 07:42 By Reuters
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
The shift from combustion engine to electric cars will reduce global demand for oil by at least 5-million barrels a day, according to the IEA's projections.
The shift from combustion engine to electric cars will reduce global demand for oil by at least 5-million barrels a day, according to the IEA's projections.
Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Electric cars are expected to make up nearly one-fifth of the global market this year, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) outlook report for the electric vehicle (EV) market released on Wednesday.

Sales are expected to grow by 35% this year to reach 14-million, the report said, comprising 18% of the market — up from 4% in 2020.

The shift from combustion engine to electric cars will reduce global demand for oil by at least 5-million barrels a day, according to the IEA's projections.

More than half of electric cars on the road so far worldwide are in China, which also dominates global battery production and was responsible for 60% of electric car sales in 2022.

SUVs and large cars account for nearly two-thirds of battery-electric models in China and Europe and even more in the US.

“Outside China, there is a need for original equipment manufacturers to offer affordable, competitively priced options to enable mass adoption of EVs,” the report said.

In emerging and developing economies, two- or three-wheel electric vehicles outnumber cars. More than half of India's three-wheeler registrations in 2022 were electric, according to the study.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.