October 15, 2024 – New York, USA:- Global sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles surged last month, marking a 30.5% increase in September. According to research from Rmotion, a staggering 1.7 million electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were sold worldwide. This represents 150,000 more units than the previous record set in December 2023.
Year-to-date sales have also seen a strong rise, with 11.5 million EVs and PHEVs sold between January and September, an increase of 22% over the same period last year. China continues to dominate the market, leading with 7.2 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold so far in 2024, a 35% rise from 2023. NEVs include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell electric vehicles.
In North America, the United States and Canada recorded a 10% increase in EV and PHEV sales, reaching 1.3 million units by September. However, Europe saw a 4% decline in sales during the first nine months of 2024, with 2.2 million EVs and PHEVs sold. Despite this, the region witnessed a slight recovery with a 4% increase in September.
While plug-in hybrid sales in Europe dropped by 12% in September, all-electric vehicles experienced a healthy 12% year-on-year increase. This led Charles Lester, Rmotion’s data manager, to express optimism for the industry, stating, “This record-breaking month of EV sales brings new hope to the industry.” He acknowledged that while there have been slowdowns in some regions, global demand for electrification remains strong.
In the U.S., EV sales set another record in the third quarter of 2024, with nearly 350,000 units sold, according to data from Cox Automotive. This marks a 5% increase from the second quarter, pushing the total market share of EVs in the U.S. to 8.9%. Analysts predict that a 10% market share for electric vehicles in the U.S. is within reach by the end of the year.