Electric Vehicles Go Big [Infographic]

A few years ago, you might have pictured the typical electric vehicle as a futuristically designed compact car zooming through an urban landscape, likely in Europe or China. But, as data from the International Energy Agency shows, the EVs that actually roam the streets in an increasing array of markets have gone up in size, now comprising a high number of SUVs, large cars and crossovers.

The numbers also show how the real or perceived need to drive a larger vehicle is more widespread in some nations. While electric trucks and SUVs fill an important niche, the ongoing trend towards larger EVs is undermining the sustainability aspect of these cars to a certain degree.

According to the data, more than half of all EVs sold globally in 2022 were SUVs, large cars or crossovers. The U.S. bought far more electric SUVs and large cars last year than the average country: 82% of all U.S. sales fell into these categories. Europe’s purchasing behavior showed only a slight tendency to buy big when compared to the rest of the world.

A look at other continents conveys how the market for EVs has pivoted in the past years. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of large EV models on sale has tripled in Latin American as well as in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In Africa, it even quadrupled. At the same time, the number of small and medium-sized EV models on offer in these regions increased by around 60-160%. Only in Asia, small and medium-sized EVs have kept their relatively strong presence. Still, fewer small and medium-sized EV models are on sale in the region than large EVs.

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Large EVs can produce more CO₂ than small gas-powered cars

SUVs and large cars benefit automakers because they are usually pricier, making them more lucrative to sell. For consumers, larger and heavier cars remain more expensive to maintain—no matter if gasoline or electricity is powering them. Until the net-zero economy is achieved and while electricity is still a somewhat carbon-intensive commodity to produce, electric SUVs have created a contradiction: Some of them produce more CO₂ than a small gas-powered car. Even if this is not the case for all electric SUVs, it still highlights their reduced efficiency compared to smaller vehicles. ditionally, as the Atlantic reports, electric SUVs use more of the sought-after minerals neccesary for EV batteries, which are already in short supply.

Globally, the IEA points out that carmakers’ focus on large and high-end electric vehicles is hindering adoption in less affluent markets, consolidating the idea that EVs are something most people cannot afford. In Latin America’s largest EV market, Costa Rica, 16 out of the top 20 most-sold EV models were SUVs and a third of the highest-selling EVs were luxury cars last year. According to the IEA, electric car adoption in emerging and developing countries especially “relies on the development of smaller, more affordable electric cars, alongside two- and three-wheelers.”

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Charted by Statista