Global electric car sales are expected to reach 23 million this year, accounting for 28% of total car sales, with nearly 30% of cars sold being electric. The war in Iran has led to soaring petrol and diesel prices, prompting drivers to turn to electric vehicles as a cheaper alternative. Sales of battery electric cars and plug-in hybrids have seen significant growth in Asian countries outside of China, Latin America, and Europe. In Europe, one in three cars sold this year is projected to be electric, while in China, monthly sales have grown to over 60% of total car sales. Sales are also expected to rise by more than 50% in Asian countries and 45% in Latin America this year. The energy crisis caused by the Middle East war has highlighted the benefits of driving an electric car, leading to potential growth in EV sales. The road transport sector is the largest consumer of oil, and governments' response to soaring oil prices could shape the global car market. Electric vehicles are now seen as an alternative to oil dependence for transport, with a quarter of all new cars sold in 2025 being electric. Southeast Asia, heavily dependent on fuel imports, has seen spectacular growth in electric car sales in response to the energy crisis. Countries in the region are expanding EV tax incentives and implementing supportive policies to boost EV sales. In 2025, Chinese carmakers dominated the electric vehicle market, with technological advances and cheaper prices driving EV deployment in China. Nearly 40% of new car sales in Vietnam were electric, surpassing levels seen in most European countries. The cost of owning an electric truck in China is now competitive with owning a diesel one, leading to a doubling of the electric truck market in just two years. Cheaper EVs from China have led to a doubling of car exports in 2025, with Chinese automakers manufacturing 60% of electric cars sold worldwide. Intense competition domestically in China is pushing electric car manufacturers to seek export opportunities overseas.
Category: Transportation
Cut emissions:
– Enhance Efficiency
– Shift to Alternatives
– Electrify Vehicles
– Switch Fuels
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Hyundai Motor Group Expands Pan-India Network to Accelerate Battery & Electrification Research
Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE) in India to seven universities through four additional partnerships, advancing 39 joint research projects focused on battery and electrification technologies. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of India-specific EV technologies and strengthen the research and development ecosystem in India, solidifying the Hyundai CoE as a central pillar of fostering strong industry-academia partnerships that drive India's electrification transition. Key investment and research areas include battery cells, management systems, energy density, safety, durability, and diagnostic technologies, with projects focusing on battery design, material research, and an AI-powered Vehicle-to-Grid platform. The long-term goal is to evolve the Hyundai CoE into a comprehensive research hub supporting India's EV transition by fostering knowledge exchange, developing innovative EV solutions, and creating a vibrant research ecosystem benefiting India's automotive industry.
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A new mega-utility is at ground zero for AI. Here’s what could happen.
NextEra Energy, a Florida-based power giant, is embracing renewables, batteries, and gas facilities as key solutions to meet energy demands and accelerate the transition to a greener power system. Their proposed merger with Dominion Energy in Virginia has the potential to lower utility bills, increase deployment of cheaper resources, and bring new resources online faster and more efficiently. NextEra's focus on battery storage development under Virginia's new legislation could help them gain support in the state and form a coalition of stakeholders critical of Dominion's reliance on fossil fuels. The success of the merger will depend on winning over utility regulators, especially in Virginia where Dominion is influential.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/a-new-mega-utility-is-at-ground-zero-for-ai-heres-what-could-happen/
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Australia installs 400,000 home batteries in 10 months for 11.2 GWh
Australia has seen a surge in consumer-led energy storage with over 400,000 batteries installed in the past 10 months, totaling 11.2 GWh of storage capacity. The Cheaper Home Batteries program by the Australian government has been successful in promoting the adoption of rooftop solar and cleaner energy systems. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted the positive impact of the program on reducing energy bills and supporting the grid. The initiative offers up to 30% discount on battery installation costs, with a tiered scheme based on battery size to encourage households to choose the right-sized battery. The program aims to deploy over 2 million batteries by 2030, contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy system in Australia.
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Australia’s biggest solar battery hybrid projects lock in finance in landmark deal to power heavy industry
Two of the biggest solar and battery hybrid projects in Australia, Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap, have reached financial close with the backing of 14 lenders. These projects will provide 600 MW of solar and 600 MW and 2,400 MWh of battery storage to help power aluminium smelters and refineries in Queensland as part of Rio Tinto's plan to transition to green energy and storage by 2029. The federal government's Capacity Investment Scheme is supporting the projects, which are crucial for reaching renewable energy targets and improving reliability as aging thermal generation retires. Edify is also developing the Hill wind farm in South Australia and the Jinbi solar farm in Western Australia, with strong community support and a focus on creating up to 800 jobs during construction, local procurement, and skills training. The financing package for these projects is a first for Australia and will set a foundation for future renewable energy projects, leaving a positive legacy in the region through a community benefits program.
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Solar will be largest power generator in “much changed” world by 2032, but battery storage is the big mover
Solar energy is projected to become the world's largest generator of electricity by 2032, driven by falling prices, battery storage, and electrification. The BloombergNEF New Energy Outlook for 2026 highlights the shift towards renewable energy and electricity-led era, emphasizing the importance of electrification, particularly in the transportation sector. BNEF forecasts that solar will become the largest zero-carbon source by the end of the decade and the single largest source of power generation by 2032. The report also underscores the need for significant global low-carbon investment to transition to cleaner energy systems, with a focus on achieving a Net Zero Scenario by 2050 through the deployment of viable technologies at scale and at a lower cost than fossil fuel alternatives.
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EVs equipped with vehicle-integrated PV could cover up to 80% of their electricity needs
A research project led by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has shown that vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) can significantly reduce strain on power grids, especially in the logistics sector with high electricity demands. Passenger cars in Central Europe could generate up to 55% of their electricity needs through onboard solar generation, while in Southern Europe, this could rise to 80%. VIPV systems have the potential to reduce charging costs, decrease the need for external charging infrastructure, and lower electricity demand from the European grid by 15.6 TWh by 2030 if all new vehicles sold between 2024 and 2030 were equipped with VIPV.
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Neighborhood Battery Combined With Solar & EV Chargers
Community solar power and battery projects, like the one in Clifton Hill, Australia, are expanding access to clean electricity for renters, apartment dwellers, and EV drivers. By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower, these projects not only reduce strain on the electricity network but also lower power prices. Electric vehicles play a crucial role in the transition to clean energy by storing electricity to support homes and grids, offering a sustainable alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles that rely on dirty fuels.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/18/neighborhood-battery-combined-with-solar-ev-chargers/
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EU households could save over €2,200 a year by electrifying homes and transport – report
Transitioning from gas boilers to heat pumps and combustion engines to electric vehicles in the EU could save households around €2,220 a year, equivalent to almost two years of free heating. This analysis emphasizes the significant financial benefits of switching to cleaner energy sources, showcasing the potential for cost savings for consumers. By investing in these climate solutions, households can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also enjoy substantial savings on their energy bills. This shift towards cleaner energy sources is crucial for both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity in the long term.
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Ethiopia Leads EV Revolution In Africa
Ethiopia is leading the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in Africa, with over 115,000 EVs on its roads, accounting for 8% of all cars. The country's shift towards EVs is driven by high fuel prices, shortages, and a ban on importing internal combustion engine vehicles. Ethiopia aims to reduce reliance on imported fuel, strengthen energy security, and promote green policies by increasing the number of EVs and doubling power generation through renewable sources. Despite challenges with charging infrastructure in rural areas and concerns about battery durability and depreciation, the transition to EVs in Ethiopia is seen as a way to reshape energy usage and benefit the country as a whole.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/17/ethiopia-leads-ev-revolution-in-africa/