Press releases

Worldwide roads on course for 31.1 million electric vehicle milestone by 2030

27 July 2020

  • One in three new cars sold globally to be electric by the end of the decade as total market share reaches 32%;
  • Likely peak of worldwide petrol sales concealed by COVID-19 outbreak, whilst total car sales unlikely to reach pre-pandemic figures again until 2024; 
  • Half of UK consumers would consider electric as next purchase, but charging infrastructure concerns remain.

By the end of the decade, a third of all new car sales worldwide will be electric according to new analysis from Deloitte. This would bring the total number of electric vehicles (EVs) sold in a single year to 31.1 million globally; ten million more than previously forecast.

In spite of COVID-19 disruption total EV sales are still expected to reach 2.5 million worldwide in 2020. Based on a compound annual growth rate of 29%, Deloitte’s research estimates this to top 11.2 million in 2025 and 31.1 million by 2030. At this milestone, fully electric vehicles will account for 81% of all new EVs sold according to the research, outperforming their plug-in hybrid peers.

Deloitte identified a key factor in driving EV growth over the next ten years as changing consumer sentiment, as many barriers to adoption gradually dissipate.

Jamie Hamilton, head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, commented: “The price premium attached to many electric vehicles restricted some early adopters but, as the cost of EVs have converged with petrol and diesel equivalents, the pool of prospective buyers is set to increase. A wider range of new electric vehicles, combined with a growing secondhand market, means EVs are becoming a more viable option for many. However, overcoming consumer concerns around driving range and perceived lack of charging infrastructure will be important factors as more drivers consider the practicalities of switching to electric.”

Additional factors driving growth include a favourable regulatory environment, be it financial incentives or emissions targets, and the development of new EV models that span both affordable and luxury ends of the market. Similarly, as company cars and fleet continue to represent the majority of all new car sales, a shift to EVs at a corporate level will further the global transition to electric.

Peak petrol

Lockdown measures in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 saw major disruption to international supply chains and the temporary closure of dealerships.

Hamilton said: “Whilst overall car sales plummeted during this time, EVs have shown resilience in some regions compared to the rest of the market. Consequently, the outbreak of COVID-19 means we have likely seen petrol and diesel vehicles reach their sales peak, albeit relatively unnoticed. With total annual car sales unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024, even if sales growth in the petrol and diesel market returns, it is likely to experience a decline in market share thereafter.”

UK outlook

In the UK, a mix of favourable government policies and greater consumer awareness on climate change have been catalysts for EV growth to date. With ambitions to meet wider net zero emissions by 2050, and a proposed ban on the sale of polluting vehicles brought forward to 2035, the stage is set for further adoption.

Deloitte’s analysis found that 50% of UK consumers would consider an EV as their next vehicle purchase. However, 33% indicate that a lack of charging infrastructure remains the greatest concern when considering the switch to full electric.

Hamilton said: “Continued investment in charging facilities and overcoming consumer concerns around their availability and accessibility could see the UK surpass the 32% global EV market share by 2030, reaching as much as 65% of the domestic market in the same period.”

View the full Battery Electric Vehicles report.

-Ends-

Note to editors

About the research

Deloitte’s outlook is based on analysis of industry data sets as well as public announcements made by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The revised figures are updated from original analysis conducted in 2018.

The UK consumer analysis surveyed 1,496 driving-age respondents who plan to buy a car in the next three years. The analysis was conducted in November 2019.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to “Deloitte” are references to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity.

Please see deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.

Deloitte LLP is a subsidiary of Deloitte NSE LLP, which is a member firm of DTTL, and is among the UK's leading professional services firms.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

For more information, please visit www.deloitte.co.uk

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

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