With discussions and debates around climate goals and the future of energy constantly on the table, stepping away from fossil fuels has become a major target for many countries and corporations alike. One way of going towards this goal is by switching to EVs, which will reduce the global population’s reliance on internal combustion engines.
As 2022 comes to a close, EV-related numbers from this year have been pouring in. With Q4 still ongoing, an estimated total of 10.6 million EVs are expected to be sold across the world by the end of the year. How is global and regional adoption of EVs coming along? Which car makers are selling the most?
Global Adoption
During the first three quarters of 2022, over 6.8 million EVs were registered, including over 1 million in September. At the same point a year ago, this number was over 4.2 million, making the growth rate over 60% YoY. Indeed, in Q2 2022 alone, global passenger EV sales grew 61% YoY to reach 2.18 million units. Furthermore, as of August 2022, 11% of new vehicle sales globally were 100% electric vehicles while 15% of new vehicles sold across the globe have a plug. As a result, sales for the whole of 2022 are expected to surpass 10 million EVs, a growth of 57% over 2021. Therefore, almost 27 million EVs should be in operation by the end of the year. In terms of market leaders in EV sales, China remains number one, followed by Europe and the US.
Regional Adoption
The US
Following a new EV policy that includes various attractive incentives for both automakers and consumers in the US, benefits of up to $12,000 are available for the purchase of a new EV. Indeed, With approximately 414,000 EVs delivered to customers in H1 2022, the US is still lagging behind other markets. However, following the launch and the first rounds of electric pick-up trucks in H1 2022, which reached 64,000 units, the country’s EV sales grew 62% YoY, accounting for 6% of all passenger vehicles delivered. As a result, EVs reached 6.1% of US car sales in Q3 2022 compared to 5.1% in Q2 and 4.7% in Q1. Moreover, during the first three quarters of 2022, over 450,000 new EVs were registered in the US, a 56% increase compared to the previous year. Consequently, the US now represents 10% of global EV sales.
Europe
So far in 2022, over 1.4 million EVs has been delivered to customers in Europe, making up for 20% of all passenger cars. In comparison, EVs represented 16% of car sales in H1 2021. While there has been a significant decline in car sales across Europe, EV sales still managed to achieve a 16% YoY growth in H1 2022. Within Europe, Norway currently has the highest market share of EVs with over 102,760 sold so far in 2022, the equivalent of 69% of total sales. Over in the UK, over 175,600 new EVs have been registered on the road this year, with 38,116 in September 2022 alone.
China
During the first half of 2022, almost 2.5 million EVs were registered to customers in Mainland China. This equates to 26% of all passenger cars registered there compared to 10% in H1 2021. Indeed, on a quarterly basis, China’s EV sales increased by over 90% in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 1.24 million units delivered in comparison to the mere 0.64 million units in Q2 2021. Therefore, having more than doubled in the first half of 2022, China is now the biggest EV market by far, with 57% of global EV sales made on the mainland. Additionally, with a 118% YoY growth, the country has also become the fastest-growing market.
Auto Manufacturer Numbers
With 2.18 million EVs sold overall in Q2 2022, both the expected and unexpected occurred.
Unsurprisingly, 30% of global EV sales were accounted for by the top 10 models while on the other hand, Tesla was dethroned by BYD, who a year ago only held a 7.7% share of the EV market.
Tesla
During the first half of 2022, Tesla’s global sales grew 27% YoY to reach over 254,000 units, with the Model Y remaining its best-seller. In the US, the EV giant accounted for almost 60% of EV sales and is currently second for 2022 EV registrations. However, while Tesla’s business in the US market increased, it only sold 98,000 cars in China during Q2 2022. Indeed, due to COVID-19 lockdowns, cumulative sales between April and May fell by 49% YoY before improving again in June by almost 115%. Over in Europe, Tesla is still the reigning EV car maker; with no other EVs getting close to their demand, the Model Y SUV and the Model 3 sedan hold the two top spots.
BYD Auto
With over 354,000 EVs sold and an increase of 266% YoY sales, BYD Auto became the best-selling EV brand for 2022. Dethroning Tesla during Q2 2022, the Chinese automaker officially stopped making and selling internal combustion engine vehicles in March 2022 and has since then been solely focusing on EVs. Having already reached the European market, BYD Auto has begun operations in Norway and is eyeing up further business in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.
Volkswagen
Fighting to come in third position in EV sales for 2022, Volkswagen’s overall EV sales dipped by 9% YoY during Q2 2022 before going up 22.3% YoY during Q3. Indeed due to issues in the supply chain, current events and inflation, EV shipments to Europe and the US declined by 44% YoY and 74% YoY respectively during Q2. This picked up again during Q3, though by only 1.6% YoY in Europe and 35.8% YoY in the US. Fortunately, the German car maker’s EV sales in China grew by 115% YoY throughout Q2 2022 and 70.8% YoY during Q3 2022.
General Motors
This year, GM’s brands, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC, are setting a new record for their EV sales results in the US. So far in 2022, GM delivered over 22,800 EVs in the US, the equivalent of 1.4% of the total volume. In Q3 2022 alone, GM sold 15,156 EVs in the US, a new quarterly record which corresponds to 236% YoY. This accounts for 2.7% of the company's total volume. As a result, the American car maker is on track to sell 1 million EVs annually in the US by 2025. Moreover, with such high sales during Q3, GM is aiming to almost double the number of Chevrolet Bolt EV and electric utility vehicles it makes next year, from 44,000 to 70,000.
Mercedes
Despite the ongoing supply chain issues that are affecting the auto industry, Mercedes is keeping afloat better than most. Indeed, so far this year, Mercedes sold 75,400 EVs, up 126% from 33,400 a year ago. In Q3 alone, the German car maker sold 30,000 EVs, 115% more than the same time in 2021. As demand for luxury EVs continues to grow, Mercedes is following in Tesla’s footsteps and building its own charging network, Mercedes me Charge. Up 70% from 2021, there are now 850,000 charging points globally as of Q3.
Getting More EVs on the Road with Addionics
With the rest of Q4 still to come, EV popularity is still growing in terms of sales, shares and consumer interest. While EV adoption has already planted its roots in the US, Europe and China, the fastest growing markets in H1 2022 were India, +273 % and New Zealand, +260 %, another sign that this revolution is global and here to stay as we aim to complete electrification and support a decarbonized future.
To facilitate and further accelerate EV adoption, providing an equal driving experience to internal combustion engines including a long range, high power and affordable price point are essential. Consequently, as the industry adopts new technologies, one of the main enablers of this transition is batteries. Over the past few years, batteries have rapidly improved, accelerating this revolution and transition to a more electric world. One of the key factors for car makers to push this revolution forwards is to develop and commercialize new battery technologies. Advanced battery designs such as Addionics’ is one of the technologies that are increasingly being adopted as it allows any type of EV battery to be improved thanks to Smart 3D Electrodes.
Find out more about Addionics or contact us for collaboration opportunities.