Electric vehicle sales surged in 2024 despite claims to the contrary

The electric vehicle market went through remarkable growth in 2024, with global sales figures proving naysayers wrong. 2024 was a year filled with misleading claims from political figures, media outlets, and even industry players. And yet, the EV sector continued to grow. Rho Motion, an EV research consultancy, recently released a report highlighting the significant increase in EV sales worldwide.

Contrary to popular belief, EV sales have not slowed down. In fact, they have set new records in almost every region across the globe. The only exception was Europe, where sales dipped by 3%, primarily due to the discontinuation of EV incentives in Germany.

The growth in EV sales is impressive, considering that Tesla had its first yearly sales decline since 2011. This decline was a result of a fairly outdated lineup, with refreshed Model 3 and now Model Y being too late to the party. The controversial CEO did his part and alienated plenty of customers. Despite this, the overall EV market continued to expand, demonstrating the strong demand for electric vehicles.

EV sales increased in 2024, and the rate of growth itself also accelerated. According to Rho Motion's data, the world sold 17.1 million plug-in cars in 2024, compared to 13.6 million in 2023 and 10.4 million in 2022. That's a growth of 3.5 million units in 2024 and way more than the 3.2 million unit growth in 2023.

The acceleration in growth flies in the face of misleading narratives. Many headlines and reports have falsely claimed that EV sales have slowed down, pushing the idea of a struggling market. The real data shows a completely opposite situation.

While the focus has been on EV sales, one important fact has been missed - the long-term decline in gas car sales. Global gas car sales peaked in 2017 and have not recovered since. There's absolutely no doubt this decline will only continue as EVs gain popularity and become more accessible.

The persistent misinformation surrounding EV sales has had real-world consequences. Automakers and governments have used these false narratives to justify scaling back their EV targets. Even consumer perceptions have been negatively impacted.

Despite the challenges and misinformation, the future of electric vehicles is sound. The technology continues to advance; new models offer longer ranges, faster charging times, and better performance. Battery costs are finally coming down, and global charging infrastructure is expanding.

Electric vehicles are a necessary step towards a sustainable future, not just a flimsy trend. We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and improve air quality by going electric. Can we fix the environment? No, not tomorrow. But we have been polluting our planet for well over 100 years, and it'll take much more effort and time to put things right. Electric cars won't do it on their own, but they are a step in the right direction. The alternative is just plain dumb.

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