Amidst extraordinary tumult in the world auto industry, there is now some good news when it comes to electric vehicles.

By Raejean Fellows, Electric Auto Association President

Amidst extraordinary tumult in the world auto industry, there is some good news when it comes to electric vehicles. A new report by a research firm focused on the EV and battery industries says across the global sales of EVs in 2021 will jump 36% and top 3 million vehicles for the first time ever.

COVID-19 Clean Car Initiative

Some industry analysts predict that buyers may move toward electric cars as they emerge back into the marketplace with a greater appreciation for the cleaner air.

“I was never able to breathe such clean air in Torino,” Silvio Pietro Angori, chief executive of the Italian auto design firm Pininfarina, told the NY Times, “I think: ‘Wow, that is great. How can I keep it?’”

As the nation begins to open back up, we should be diligent in our efforts to share the benefits of clean air. At the Electric Auto Association, our thousands of chapter volunteers daily educate about clean driving electric cars during virtual events. They educate legislators about EV-favorable policies. Join us in this support and donate to the COVID-19 Clean Car Initiative today. 

Marketplace disruption momentum

U.S. EV sales have seen a slight increase over last year, March being the one exception, says Forbes. Meanwhile, sales of gasoline cars were down in every major auto market, including the U.S., China and Europe. 

Due to the very unsettled market, opportunities for startups, such as Byton and Lucid, could very likely grow.  Additionally, existing partnerships, such as between Ford and Volkswagen for the development of autonomous driving software, could be expanded.

Overall it’s clear the Tesla Model 3 continues to capture the lion’s share of the EV market.

Of course, much of what happens will depend on government action. At present, the U.S. under the Trump Administration has fewer incentives and regulations to promote electric cars than do Europe and China. This could result in fewer buyers able to afford EV’s in a recession.