Jun 15, 2020 - Energy & Environment

Global electric vehicle sales topped 2 million in 2019

Ben Geman, author of Generate
Reproduced from EIA, Global EV Outlook 2020; Chart: Axios Visuals

Electric vehicles had a "banner year" in 2019 with worldwide sales topping 2 million, but they still represent just roughly 1% of cars on the road globally, per an International Energy Agency report released Monday.

Yes, but: The coronavirus pandemic is creating sales headwinds this year, though electric vehicles are affected less than traditional cars.

  • But even without that problem, electric vehicle growth remains far off the pace of what's needed in IEA's scenario consistent with the Paris climate deal.
  • Under current and planned policies, the number of electric cars, trucks and buses worldwide grows to roughly 140 million in 2030.
  • That's far below the 245 million in IEA's "sustainable development scenario."

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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

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Why it matters: The global need for copper could increase by an estimated 350% by 2050, with current reserves depleting sometime between 2035 and 2045, as wind and solar energy generate an increasing percentage of electricity and more people adopt electric vehicles.

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