9 godzin temu
- Norway: Battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs) were 88.9% of new car sales in 2024—powered by a long‑running mix of EV tax breaks and steep taxes on gasoline cars. Reuters
- Sweden: BEVs reached ~35% of 2024 sales; BEV+PHEV combined hit 63% in April 2025. European Alternative Fuels Observatory
- United Kingdom: BEVs were 19.6% of 2024 sales, supported by a binding Zero‑Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate that ratchets up automaker quotas. SMMT
- China: New‑energy vehicles (BEV+PHEV) were about 41% of 2024 sales, with monthly peaks above that, as prices fell and model variety surged. CnEVPost
- United States: BEV share was between ~9% and a bit over 10% in 2024, depending on dataset; PHEVs ~2% of sales. Reuters
- Global picture: More than 1 in 4 cars sold worldwide in 2025 will be electric, the IEA says. “Electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally,” notes IEA chief Fatih Birol. IEA
The big question: Why is the U.S. lagging?
1) Affordability and model mix
American buyers face higher upfront EV prices than in Europe and China, and the U.S. lacks truly low‑cost small EVs. KBB/Cox data show EVs still carry a price premium (roughly $9,000 recently), even as discounts rise. MarketWatch China, by contrast, sells millions of sub‑$25k EVs and now dominates affordable segments; tariffs restrict many of those low‑cost imports from reaching the U.S. at scale. IEA
2) Charging coverage and reliability—improving, but uneven
Public charging has expanded and reliability is getting better, but gaps remain outside metro corridors. J.D. Power’s EVX study found reliability improvement in 2025; as its EV practice lead put it, “our data shows clear improvement in the reliability and success of public charging.” Vecharged The federal NEVI program now requires >97% uptime per port—an aggressive standard—but build‑out still varies by state. eCFR
At the same time, 63% of Americans already live within 2 miles of a public charger, a fact that many shoppers don’t realize. Pew Research Center
3) Policy whiplash vs. clear, durable rules abroad
Norway stacked the deck for EVs (VAT and registration‑tax exemptions for EVs, high taxes on gasoline cars) and stuck with it across governments. The U.K. locked in a ZEV sales mandate. China combined consumer incentives with industrial policy. CnEVPost
In the U.S., standards are tightening, but more flexibly: EPA’s 2027–2032 rule is “technology‑neutral” and allows hybrids to meet part of the target, which slowed the expected near‑term BEV ramp. Analysts call this a downgrade of U.S. EV adoption versus prior outlooks. EPA+2S&P Global
4) Sales channel friction (dealers)
More than 4,700 U.S. dealerships publicly urged Washington to pause stricter tailpipe rules, citing “insufficient demand” and charging concerns. That stance shapes what gets stocked, pitched and test‑driven—critical in a franchise‑dealer market. AP News
5) Home‑charging access
Home charging is the killer feature—but about a third of U.S. vehicles don’t have reliable off‑street parking. That’s a structural drag in multi‑family housing and dense neighborhoods compared with countries that heavily invest in curbside and workplace charging. energycodes.gov
6) Misconceptions and politicization
Surveys show many Americans still overestimate charging hassles and underestimate range and running‑cost savings. As Cox Automotive’s Rachelle PePapay puts it, many shoppers base their view on “what was happening…more than 15 years ago,” not current realities. Cox Automotive Inc. InfluenceMap’s 2024/2025 analyses also document organized lobbying against stronger EV policies, shaping narratives online and off. influencemap.org
Myth vs. Fact: 17 narratives to retire—with sources
- “EVs aren’t really cleaner; they just move emissions to the power plant.”
Fact: Lifecycle analyses from the ICCT and U.S. DOE show large net reductions vs. gasoline even on today’s grids (≈46–70% lower emissions depending on vehicle and grid). As grids clean up, the advantage grows. The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov - “PHEVs are just as good as BEVs for the climate.”
Fact: PHEVs reduce lifetime emissions, but less than BEVs—~20–30% vs. ~70% for BEVs—because many PHEVs are not driven primarily on electricity in real‑world use. ICCT+1 - “The grid will collapse if we electrify.”
Fact: DOE’s Congressional report finds EVs are a flexible, schedulable load that can support the grid; managed charging can strengthen, not strain, systems. EPA’s myth‑busting notes the same. The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov - “There aren’t enough chargers.”
Fact: Coverage is growing (the FHWA reports a rapidly rising installed base) and NEVI requires 97% uptime for new federally funded ports; many states are moving beyond highways into communities. But local gaps remain—a real equity issue now prioritized in planning. Federal Highway Administration - “Public charging is unreliable.”
Fact: Reliability has been a pain point, but is improving. J.D. Power’s 2025 EVX study shows measurable gains, and federal standards now push operators toward sustained uptime and transparent pricing. Vecharged - “EVs can’t handle cold climates.”
Fact: Winter reduces range in all powertrains. Yet Norway—with Arctic regions—leads the world. Consumer Reports documents EV‑range impacts; Norway overcame winter anxiety with charging density and ownership familiarity. Consumer Reports - “Batteries wear out quickly.”
Fact: Real‑world fleet data and warranties show modern packs last years; chemistry trends (e.g., LFP) cut costs and reduce reliance on nickel/cobalt. LFP made nearly half of EV batteries sold in 2024. IEA Blob Storage - “EVs are too expensive—period.”
Fact: Upfront prices remain higher on average, but battery costs keep falling and used EVs can be bargains; many buyers qualify for point‑of‑sale federal credits (subject to sourcing rules). Total cost of ownership often favors EVs thanks to fuel and maintenance savings. MarketWatch - “There’s no standard for plugs.”
Fact: The industry is converging on NACS (SAE J3400), with most automakers adding access to Tesla’s Supercharger network—though the 2024 Tesla retrenchment slowed roll‑outs temporarily. Tesla - “EVs are only for the coasts.”
Fact: Chargers increasingly reach the heartland; roughly two‑thirds of Americans live within 2 miles of a charger, and many rural corridors now have fast charging. Pew Research Center - “EVs don’t go far enough for daily life.”
Fact: The average U.S. driver travels ~30–37 miles/day, far below the 200–300+ mile range of most new EVs. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - “The U.S. grid can’t make enough power.”
Fact: Studies suggest national load growth from EVs is manageable (a few percent by 2030). Smart charging and daytime workplace charging can flatten peaks. The Department of Energy’s Energy.gov - “Critical minerals make EVs unethical.”
Fact: Supply‑chain issues are real across many products, but EVs are rapidly shifting to chemistries with less cobalt and nickel (LFP), while global standards and domestic supply initiatives expand. IEA Blob Storage - “Charging takes all night, every time.”
Fact: Most owners charge at home and arrive each morning with a ‘full tank’; fast chargers add hundreds of miles in under an hour for trips. NREL Docs - “BEV growth has stalled for good.”
Fact: U.S. BEV growth slowed in 2024, but the global market will set another sales record in 2025; analysts trimmed U.S. projections, not global momentum. IEA - “Hybrids mean we don’t need EVs.”
Fact: Hybrids help—but can’t deliver the deep, long‑term emissions cuts BEVs offer, per multiple LCAs and policy scenarios. ICCT - “There’s no evidence misinformation hurts EV uptake.”
Fact: Independent analyses show coordinated lobbying and misleading narratives shaping consumer views and policy debates—contributing to hesitation. influencemap.org
What countries ahead of the U.S. did differently
- Norway paired carrots (tax exemptions for EVs) with sticks (high purchase and fuel taxes) for gasoline cars—and stayed consistent for years. Result: 88.9% BEV share in 2024. Reuters
- United Kingdom set a ZEV mandate compelling year‑by‑year progress; fleets led adoption, pushing BEVs to 19.6% in 2024. SMMT
- China combined consumer incentives, industrial policy and brutal price competition; NEVs hit ~41% of 2024 sales and crossed 50% in 2025 H1. CnEVPost
As IEA’s Fatih Birol says: “Electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally.” IEA
What would close America’s EV gap—fast
- Stable, long‑term rules (fewer reversals) and clear state‑federal alignment so buyers and businesses know the roadmap. EPA
- More affordable models (especially small cars) and financing; domestic production help plus thoughtful tariff policy to expand low‑cost choice without undermining supply‑chain security. IEA
- Deliver the charger basics: prioritize reliability (NEVI’s 97% uptime), equitable siting and simple payments everywhere. eCFR
- Apartment & curbside charging: building codes and grants to bring charging to renters and multi‑family housing. energycodes.gov
- Dealer incentives & training so EVs are stocked, test‑driven and explained—backed by accurate product education. AP News
- Myth‑busting at scale—public campaigns anchored in federal/independent data (EPA, DOE, IEA, ICCT) and mainstream media. EPA
The state of play in late‑2025: momentum with headwinds
- Sales: U.S. BEV share looks stuck around 9–10% for now as hybrids surge, but globally EVs set new records in 2025. Analysts (BNEF) trimmed U.S. outlooks amid policy uncertainty and affordability limits. IEA
- Charging: The NACS shift is consolidating plugs and expanding Supercharger access beyond Tesla, though 2024 staffing cuts slowed expansion. Tesla
- Batteries/prices: Battery costs fell again in 2024, especially with LFP chemistries now near half of global EV batteries—key to cheaper entry‑level models. IEA Blob Storage
Quick buyer’s guide: how to judge an EV in 2025
- Total cost beats monthly payment: run 3‑ to 7‑year fuel + maintenance math before you decide. IEA
- Use case first: Most U.S. drivers cover 30–37 miles/day; choose range accordingly and budget for one or two long trips a year using fast charging. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
- Charging plan: If you can’t charge at home, verify workplace/destination fast charging near you. Look for Plug‑and‑Charge and NACS access. Tesla
- Incentives: Check point‑of‑sale eligibility and state rebates; rules change by model and sourcing. IRS
Bottom line
America’s lag isn’t about technology—it’s about perception, price, policy and the places we park. The data show EVs are cleaner over their lifetimes, the grid can handle them, charging is maturing, and global markets are marching on. Close the affordability gap, deliver reliable charging for all communities, and retire the myths—and U.S. adoption will catch up.
Sources & further reading (selected)
- International Energy Agency (IEA): Global EV Outlook 2025 and press note (global trends; U.S. share “more than one in ten” in 2024; affordability). IEA
- Reuters / SMMT / AF‑Observatory: Norway, U.K. and Sweden country stats and policy context. Reuters
- ICCT & DOE (GREET): Lifecycle emissions—BEVs vs. gasoline; PHEV comparisons. ICCT
- EPA “EV Myths”: Grid and charging facts. EPA
- J.D. Power EVX: Charging reliability improvements. Vecharged
- Pew Research: U.S. attitudes and charger proximity. EVDANCE
- FHWA / ECFR: NEVI minimum standards (including 97% uptime). Federal Register
- BNEF & Utility Dive: U.S. sales outlook downgraded amid policy shifts; global record still expected. BloombergNEF
