One in four cars sold in 2025 will be electric, says IEA

One in four cars sold in 2025 will be electric, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In 2024, over 17 million electric vehicles (EVs) were sold worldwide, accounting for more than 20% of total car sales. This year, sales are projected to grow by another 17%, reaching 20 million units, or approximately 25% of the global market.

In comparison, the share of EVs in 2020 was just 4%.

By 2030, EVs are expected to make up more than 40% of all vehicles sold globally.

China remains the global leader in EV adoption, with EVs comprising nearly 50% of all new car sales in 2024. More than 11 million EVs were sold in China—roughly equal to the total global sales in 2022.

In Europe, EVs still represent around 20% of new vehicle sales, although growth has slowed due to cuts in subsidies and other forms of government support.

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable, particularly in China, where two-thirds of EVs sold cost less than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. EVs also remain cheaper to operate than conventional cars.

• In November 2024, Ukraine's car market saw a historic shift: electric vehicles became the most popular engine type among imported used cars less than five years old, surpassing traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
• According to Ukravtoprom, in April 2025, 5,792 electric cars were added to Ukraine’s vehicle fleet, representing a 37% increase compared to the same month last year. However, fewer than 1,000 of these vehicles were brand new.