Global EV Sales - What are the types of EV Worldwide?

Page last updated: 1 October 2024

The number of global electric vehicle (EV) sales, categorised by types such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), have been rapidly increasing as the world shifts towards sustainable transportation.

Overview

Global electric vehicle fleet across different vehicle types

The number of electric car sales has increased in 2019 to in 2023.
Electric van sales increased from 59,295 to 468,600 sales and trucks from 27,032 to 56,960 sales between 2019 and 2023.

Learn more about Global EV Sales here.

What are the different types of EVs on the market?

Electric vehicles come in various types, including BEVs, which run entirely on electricity; PHEVs, which use both a battery-powered motor and an internal combustion engine, HEVs, which recharge through regenerative braking without external charging; and FCEVs, which generate electricity from hydrogen to power the vehicle.

Global Electric Vehicles Cumulative Sales

As of December 2023, the number of electric vehicles on the road worldwide reached 27.2 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 12.3 million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs):

BEVs, also known as all-electric vehicles, rely solely on electricity for propulsion, using a fully battery-powered drivetrain and charging through domestic or commercial electricity sources.

How many battery electric vehicles are sold worldwide each year?

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sales have surged from 6,999 units in 2010 to 7.79 million in 2023, demonstrating a significant global shift towards fully electric vehicles.

Global Battery Electric Vehicles Cumulative Sales

BEV stock has increased from 1 million in 2016 to 27.2 million in 2023, increasing 27 times, highlighting the global preference for fully electric vehicles.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs):

PHEVs combine a battery-powered motor with an internal combustion engine, providing the flexibility of two fuel sources but often with reduced performance and driving range compared to BEVs and traditional gasoline engines.

How many plug-in electric vehicles are sold worldwide each year?

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) sales have risen from 450 units in 2010 to 3.53 million in 2023, though the growth rate is slower compared to BEVs, but still a gradual transition towards its introduction to the market.

Global Plug-In Electric Vehicles Cumulative Sales

PHEVs on the road have expanded from approximately 900,000 in 2016 to 12.3 million in 2023, marking a 13.7 times increase, although at a slower pace compared to BEV.

BEV vs PHEV (2011-2023)

In 2023, global electric vehicle (EV) sales continued to show rapid growth, with both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) experiencing significant increases in market adoption.

BEV sales led the market, reaching 7.79 million units in 2023, accounting for 12% of all car sales globally, reflecting a strong global shift towards fully electric vehicles.
Steady PHEV growth was evident, reaching 3.53 million units in 2023, though their market share growth was outpaced by the surge in BEV adoption.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs):

HEVs feature both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery. Unlike BEVs and PHEVs, HEVs recharge the battery through regenerative braking and cannot be charged via external power sources.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs):

FCEVs use hydrogen as fuel, converting it into electricity through an electrochemical process to power the vehicle. They are fueled with compressed hydrogen rather than recharged, providing a different alternative to battery-powered EVs.

Global EV Sales by Type