Gartner says that by the end of 2025, there will be 85 million electric vehicles (EVs) in use globally, a 33% increase from the projected 64 million units in 2024. This figure includes cars, buses, vans, and heavy trucks. The rise in EV adoption is expected to be driven largely by China, which is predicted to account for 58% of the total, and Europe, which will represent 24%, together making up 82% of global EV usage by 2025.
According to Jonathan Davenport, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, while recent market challenges have slowed the pace of EV adoption, the growth in 2025 will be strong, particularly in China and Europe. Many automakers had delayed launching new EV models after overestimating the speed of the market transition, but demand is now expected to pick up again, pushing global EV usage higher.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are projected to account for 73% of all EVs in use by 2025, reaching nearly 62 million units, a 35% increase from 2024. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will grow at a slower rate, with a 28% increase expected, bringing their installed base to 23 million units in 2025.
China is anticipated to remain the dominant market for EVs, with 49 million units on the road by 2025, significantly surpassing Europe’s 20.6 million and North America’s 10.4 million units. Overall, EV ownership in China is expected to far exceed that of other regions for the rest of the decade.
Looking ahead, by 2030, automakers are expected to facilitate the recycling of 95% of EV batteries, helping to address the challenges of raw material shortages. Recycling efforts, especially in the European Union, are expected to lessen the need for new mineral extraction by repurposing materials from spent batteries and production scrap. Jonathan Davenport noted that battery recycling can help lower battery costs and reduce the environmental impact of improper battery disposal.
