Worldwide electric vehicle (EV) sales were up 108 percent in 2021, with half of them being sold in Mainland China, according to global research conducted by Canalys.
The data shows that 3.2 million EV units were sold in China in 2021, representing an impressive 15 percent of all new cars sold in the country.
Europe showed even higher rates of EV adoption, with 2.3 million EVs sold, totaling up to 19 percent of new cars sold across the continent.
85 percent of all global EV sales were delivered to buyers in Mainland China and Europe. Tesla also led the EV market worldwide, with the Model 3 becoming the best-selling EV in Europe.
In China, Tesla’s Model Y overtook the Model 3, with both cars behind the more affordable Wuling Hongguang Mini EV in sales.
Photo: Canalys
Comparatively, EV sales in the U.S. only amounted to 535,000 units, representing just 4 percent of new cars sold.
While demand in the U.S. is still growing, Canalys Vice President and Chief Analyst Chris Jones believes the electric pickup truck may be the market’s lynchpin.
“The competition’s EV sales are nowhere near Tesla’s in the US since Model 3 shipments ramped up in 2018. Tesla even outsells many premium car brands in the overall market,” said Jones in a statement to Tesla North.
“Pick-up trucks will give the US EV market a huge lift in 2022. Rivian was first to deliver at the end of 2021, while Ford and GM have had strong interest in the F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer Pickup respectively,” added Jones.
2022 is set to be the year of the pickup, with vehicles such as the new Rivian R1T, Ford’s F-150 Lightning and the GMC Hummer all expected to make significant deliveries this year.
