Skip to main content

Over 35 million electric vehicles on world’s roads by 2022, claims new report

More than 35 million electric vehicles (EV) will be on the world’s roads by 2022, according to a new report from Navigant Research. “With gasoline prices remaining high, acquiring an EV is becoming an economic decision for many consumers,” says Scott Shepard, research analyst with Navigant Research. “The initial purchase price premiums for EVs, compared to conventional gasoline and diesel-powered internal combustion engines, are substantial. Yet, operational cost savings due to reduced refuelling and maint
January 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
More than 35 million electric vehicles (EV) will be on the world’s roads by 2022, according to a new report from Navigant Research.

“With gasoline prices remaining high, acquiring an EV is becoming an economic decision for many consumers,” says Scott Shepard, research analyst with Navigant Research. “The initial purchase price premiums for EVs, compared to conventional gasoline and diesel-powered internal combustion engines, are substantial. Yet, operational cost savings due to reduced refuelling and maintenance costs are proving that, when considered over the life of the vehicle, EVs are cost-competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles.”

Navigant Research estimates in 2013 there were over 7.3 million EVs on roads – the vast majority being hybrids.

The research firm says that innovations in EV technologies are reducing the cost of EV ownership. These include vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems that allow plug-in EV (PEV) owners to utilise battery power not only for driving, but also for emergency backup power and grid balancing. Test fleets are being used to examine the revenue potential of V2G services, and electricity providers are looking into ways to shift PEV charging to off-peak hours through demand response programmes. Developments in both areas promise to strengthen the business case of PEV technologies for fleet and individual owners, the Navigant Research report concludes.

The report, Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts, provides forecasts, market sizing, and market share analysis for the overall light-duty (LD) vehicle market and LD hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and battery EVs. It includes comprehensive data for vehicle sales and vehicles in use (parc) for the global LD vehicle market, as well as the three EV segments. Also provided are the underlying forecast assumptions for the consumer and fleet markets.

Leading EV manufacturers including Volkswagen and General Motors are strong in the Chinese market – which, given its size and Government subsidies to local firms to develop EV’s, and its further subsidies to customers to buy them, is predicted by many sector analysts to become the world’s leading EV market. A basic, all-electric version of, for instance, the hybrid Chevy Volt/Vauxhall Ampere could be reasonably cheap for many EV manufacturers to develop.

Related Content

  • Competitive asphalt compaction market
    February 13, 2012
    Existing tough competition will step up another gear with the launch of further new machines in the asphalt roller market, Mike Woof reports. The asphalt compaction equipment market is intensely competitive, with a number of major firms all fighting to boost market share. And with many major manufacturers having revamped ranges during 2010 and further new models now due, this rivalry is set to become tougher still.
  • Future road safety progress may be slow
    March 9, 2018
    Future progress on road safety could be slower than hoped, according to the European Transport Safety Commission (ETSC). It warns that the high profile development of autonomous vehicles could restrain moves to improve road safety around the world. With road deaths killing up to 1.25 million people/year, lowering the casualty rate is seen as a priority. But a much sharper awareness of how to reduce the number of deaths and injuries is required.
  • Terex in Red Diesel Replacement programme
    September 15, 2023
    The UK government has chosen six projects to move forward within the Red Diesel Replacement programme as a way to decarbonise construction, mining and quarrying.
  • Innovative GIS software offerings
    July 18, 2012
    The latest construction software developments can speed the construction process overall, Adrian Greeman reports Construction software is by its very nature a very fast moving technology, with new systems coming to the market almost continuously. There are some key developments however, such as major new product launches and market trends. One of the most important developments in the road design sector is the launch of the Bentley Systems V8i versions of its software, including its road design applications