World Progress in Electric Vehicle Readiness, According to Sandra Roling and Climate Group, Showcases Future Growth Possibilities
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In the race towards a greener future, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining momentum worldwide. Here's a roundup of recent developments and insights from industry leaders.
China and some European nations, notably Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands, are leading the EV transition. China, the global leader, sold over 5.5 million EVs in the first half of 2025 alone, accounting for more than 60% of global sales. Europe follows closely with 2.0 million EVs sold, and the United States, with California as a major regional hub, has cumulative sales of over 7 million plug-in cars since 2010.
Norway, aiming for 100% electric new car sales by 2025, is currently the front-runner in Europe, having reached nearly 89% electric share in 2024. Denmark, Sweden, and Finland also demonstrate significant growth due to supportive policies and infrastructure.
However, emerging markets face challenges in adopting EVs, such as high import taxes, limited charging infrastructure, reliance on fossil fuels for electricity, economic constraints, and less developed policy support. For instance, Nepal benefits from a low import tax on EVs, which helps adoption, while countries like India require government-business collaboration for growth.
Sandra Roling, Director of Transport at the Climate Group, highlights the participation of over 120 international companies in the EV100 initiative, committed to adopting electric vehicles by 2030. These companies manage a combined total of 5.75 million vehicles globally, with over 400,000 electric vehicles already operational across 60 countries.
Ted Chan, from Schindler, explores the viability of flexible pricing for fleet operations, while Marc Sibbald, from IPWEA, discusses the anticipated shift towards more flexible fleet funding methods like subscription, novated lease, and private lease.
Europe's cost competitiveness of electric vehicles makes it feasible to transition almost entirely to EVs, according to Sandra Roling. Recent EU regulations require the installation of charging infrastructure, which will significantly enhance EV accessibility and competitiveness.
The global market share for electric vehicles is anticipated to reach 18% in 2023, and initiatives in India target commercial sales and urban pollution, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in driving EV adoption. Latin America shows significant interest in EV adoption but faces challenges in vehicle supply from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
California, in the United States, is historically recognised for its electric vehicle leadership and is currently evolving rapidly. States in the United States are setting goals to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. Chile and Costa Rica, despite challenges, have set ICE phase-out dates and notable EV market shares, demonstrating latent potential.
Almy Magalhaes, from Ecolab, asks about the benefits of AI and ML for commercial fleets, while Carlos Roberto Guemez Shedden, from UNHCR, questions how data tracking can reduce road crashes in countries with a low road safety culture.
India presents a landscape where government-business collaboration is crucial for EV adoption, with ambitious federal targets and active state engagement. Substantial federal investments in EV infrastructure in the United States indicate a promising shift towards electrification across the nation.
In summary, while China and some European nations dominate EV adoption globally, emerging markets face barriers related to cost, infrastructure, clean energy availability, and policy support, which they need to overcome to accelerate EV uptake.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant traction in science and environmental-science discussions, as the industry aims to combat climate-change through adopting renewable-energy sources like EVs.
- Financial institutions play a key role in the EV industry, as they are offering support through flexible pricing, subscription plans, and novel leasing arrangements to facilitate fleet operations.
- Technology advancements are vital for the global adoption of EVs, with AI and ML providing benefits for commercial fleets in terms of efficiency and safety.
- The transition to electric vehicles is not without challenges, especially in emerging markets that struggle with high import taxes, limited charging infrastructure, and economic constraints.
- Collective efforts across governments, businesses, and international organizations are essential to drive the EV industry forward in the face of competition from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, especially in regions like India and Latin America.
