With sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles increasing year-on-year, there are now more than 10 million of these vehicles on the road around the world. According to EV Volumes, the total is now 10.8 million worldwide.
In 2020 there were around 3.24 million global sales of both battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). That’s compared to 2.26 million in 2019. In Europe, it was a real success story for BEVs and PHEVs. While the car market was suffering thanks to COVID-19, with a 20% downturn from the previous year, sales of BEVs and PHEVs were soaring with an increase of 137% from 2019.
This boost in plug-in vehicles on our roads is down to several factors. Firstly, government incentives play a big part in the adoption of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Subsidies, grants, and other perks for owners exist across Europe and many are similar to those we have in the UK (35% off the cost of an electric car, up to £3500). The intense promotion of BEVs and PHEVs is also to thank, as more and more models become available.
A recent Zap-Map study also found that electric vehicle owners rarely go back. This is another reason that EV sales are growing, and we’re seeing more of them on our roads.
Another factor of increased sales during the pandemic is a global awareness for our health and the environment. Generally speaking, the more people that care about the environment, the more their behaviour will reflect this. This could be affecting people’s car-buying decisions as they try to steer clear of public transport, which could pose a health risk.
According to analysts Morgan Stanley, global BEV and PHEV sales could grow 50% or more in 2021, with global penetration reaching 31% by 2030.
