Suggested Citation:
Muratori, Matteo, Doug Arent, Morgan D. Bazilian, John Bistline, Brennan Borlaug, Austin Brown, Pierpaolo Cazzola, Ercan M. Dede, Chris Gearhart, David L. Greene, Alan Jenn, Alissa Kendall, Catherine Ledna, Yanghe Liu, Timothy E. Lipman, Sreekant Narumanchi, Ahmad Pesaran, Ramteen Sioshansi, Thomas Timbario, Kevin Walkowicz, Arthur Yip (2025)

Trends and 2025 insights on the rise of electric vehicles in the USA

. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Journal Article UCD-ITS-RP-25-103

Abstract:

Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the transportation energy landscape, providing a practical alternative to petroleum fuels for a growing number of applications. EV sales grew 55× in the past decade (2014–2024) and 6× since 2020, driven by technological progress enabled by policies to reduce transportation emissions as well as industrial plans motivated by strategic value of EVs for global competitiveness, jobs and geopolitics. In 2024, 22% of passenger cars sold globally were EVs and opportunities for EVs beyond on-road applications are growing, including solutions to electrify off-road vehicles, maritime and aviation. This Review updates and expands our 2020 assessment of the scientific literature and describes the current status and future projections of EV markets, charging infrastructures, vehicle–grid integration and supply chains in the USA. EV is the lowest-emission motorized on-road transportation option, with life-cycle emissions decreasing as electricity emissions continue to decrease. Charging infrastructure grew in line with EV adoption but providing ubiquitous reliable and convenient charging remains a challenge. EVs are reducing electricity costs in several US markets and coordinated EV charging can improve grid resilience and reduce electricity costs for all consumers. The current trajectory of technology improvement and industrial investments points to continued acceleration of EVs.