The cars gaining significant traction globally

Electric vehicles (EVs) have rapidly shifted from niche to mainstream, reshaping the global automotive market and climate strategies worldwide.

According to a World Resources Institute (WRI) report, published earlier this week, EV sales have grown exponentially in recent years, driven by falling costs, technological advances and aggressive government climate policies in leading markets.

EVs play a central role in addressing climate change by reducing emissions from one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases: the transport sector.

Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and when powered by renewable energy, their overall carbon footprint drops dramatically.

They also help improve air quality in cities, reducing health-damaging pollutants.

As electricity grids worldwide shift toward cleaner energy, EVs become even more climate-friendly over time.

This makes them an essential component of long-term decarbonisation strategies and countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement to keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) and to pursue an increase of only 1.5°C.

But while nations like China, Norway and European economies dominate global figures, the story in Africa — and particularly in South Africa — presents a tale of opportunity tempered by enduring challenges.

The WRI report highlights that electric vehicles accounted for about 22 % of all passenger vehicle sales in 2024, a dramatic jump from just a few years earlier as EV technology became more accessible and affordable.

Globally, China led the charge with approximately 11.3 million EVs sold in 2024, followed by the United States at around 1.5 million, and major European markets like Germany, the United Kingdom and France hovering around the half a million mark.

These figures reflect rapid adoption: most major markets saw EV sales share increase substantially between 2023 and 2024.

Countries such as Norway reporting EV penetration beyond 90 % of new vehicle sales and other European nations posting double-digit growth, underlining how climate policy, incentives and infrastructure expansion can accelerate transitions.

Despite this global surge, the WRI report acknowledges that some regions, particularly in the developing world, are underrepresented in global datasets due to data gaps and the relatively nascent stage of their automotive markets.

Africa’s emerging market

In much of Africa, EV adoption remains in its infancy compared to global leaders, but the market is expanding.

Local data sources show that the African EV market was valued at around $15.63 billion in 2023, with projections estimating growth to nearly $209.9 million by 2025 and beyond, according to website EV24.

South Africa stands out as the continent’s largest EV market.

In the first quarter of 2024, South Africa sold 3,042 new energy vehicles (NEVs), including both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids, marking an 83 % increase compared with the same time in 2023 and capturing roughly 40 % of total African NEV sales for 2023.

South Africa’s EV trajectory illustrates both promise and hurdles.

Domestic sales statistics reveal that EV registrations have climbed from a few hundred in the early 2020s to several thousand by 2024, boosted by a combination of consumer interest and broader market trends.

South Africa’s role as a regional auto hub, historically focused on internal combustion engines, lends it structural advantages in terms of manufacturing capacity and distribution networks.

Yet, the transition to EVs faces multiple barriers.

One major obstacle is the continued dominance of hybrid vehicles: in 2024, hybrid models accounted for a significant 83% of all NEV sales in South Africa, with traditional BEVs still a minority.

While hybrids can serve as a transitional technology, they also reflect affordability and infrastructure constraints that deter full EV adoption.

Another challenge is charging infrastructure. South Africa, like much of the continent, suffers from limited public and private charging points, which fuels consumer range anxiety and slows purchase decisions.

Similarly, electricity reliability remains inconsistent in parts of the country, further complicating ownership decisions.

High import duties, low average incomes and residual concerns over battery life and resale value compound the hurdles.

These factors make EVs, despite falling costs globally, comparatively expensive for many South African buyers, slowing the shift away from internal combustion vehicles.

To address these issues, South Africa is experimenting with several policy instruments.

The government has earmarked funds to incentivise local EV production, aligning with broader industrial goals and the 2035 transition target for internal combustion engines.

International automakers are responding too. Chinese EV makers such as BYD are expanding dealership networks, and global brands are gradually introducing EV and hybrid models adapted to African market conditions.

Still, unless infrastructure gaps, affordability barriers and policy uncertainty are tackled in tandem, South Africa’s EV adoption is likely to lag behind other countries.

With pro-active strategies and targeted investment, however, the country could still carve out a meaningful share of the global EV growth story, boosting the economy and creating jobs, over-and-above curbing carbon emissions.

• Dr Enock Sithole is the executive director of the Institute for Climate Change Communication.