The Global EV Race is On! 25% of New Cars Sold in 2025 Were Electric, Driven by Emerging Markets

TL;DR: A new report reveals that electric vehicles made up over a quarter of all new car sales globally in 2025, with emerging markets like ASEAN nations, Indonesia, and Thailand leading the charge, reshaping the worldwide automotive landscape.

Meta: Global EV sales hit 25% in 2025, with emerging markets becoming key drivers in electric mobility adoption.

Hold on to your hats, because the EV race just went global in a big way! A new analysis from energy think tank Ember confirms that more than 25% of all new cars sold worldwide in 2025 were electric. That's a quarter of the market, folks! But here's the kicker: the real momentum isn't just in the usual suspects; it's being powered by emerging markets that were barely on the EV map a few years ago.

The New EV Superstars

Forget what you thought you knew about EV adoption. The game done changed! In 2019, only four countries saw EVs make up over 10% of new car sales. Now, in 2025, that number has exploded to 39 countries! We're talking about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leading the charge, with Singapore and Vietnam hitting around 40% EV sales shares, actually overtaking levels seen in the UK and EU. Indonesia surged to 15%, leaving the US in its dust for the first time, and Thailand hit 20%, selling more EVs than Denmark in the first three quarters of the year. Who's leading now?

As Euan Graham from Ember wisely put it, "The center of gravity has moved." These emerging markets aren't just playing catch-up; they're setting the pace, seeing the clear strategic advantages of cleaner air and less reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Chinese EVs: The Global Growth Engine

And who's fueling much of this explosive growth? Since mid-2023, almost all the growth in Chinese EV exports has gone to non-OECD markets. Brazil, Mexico, the UAE, and Indonesia are now top destinations for Chinese EVs, thanks to their governments rolling out policies supporting EV adoption, like tax breaks and incentives for local manufacturing. It's a smart play, giving these nations a leg up in the clean energy transition.

The impact on fossil fuel demand is already tangible. EVs are three times more efficient than traditional gas-guzzlers. In places like Brazil, with mostly clean electricity, BEVs slash fossil fuel demand by about 90%. Even in Indonesia, where some fossil fuels are still in the grid mix, it's cut by nearly half. This ain't just about feel-good vibes; it's about real, measurable change.

What’s Next

The choices these emerging markets make now regarding charging infrastructure and early support will determine how fast this momentum continues. The global car market's future is being written in places that, until recently, weren't considered major players. It's an exciting time to watch the world go electric, and the old guard better keep up or get left behind.

The world's going electric, baby, and it ain't just the usual suspects behind the wheel anymore! That's how you do it!