tech
January 31, 2026
Electric cars go mainstream as adoption surges across rich and developing nations
A wave of affordable Chinese-made EVs is accelerating the shift away from petrol cars, challenging long‑held assumptions about how transport decarbonisation unfolds
TL;DR
- Developed countries like Norway, Denmark, and California are seeing high percentages of electric vehicle (EV) sales.
- EV sales are also rapidly increasing in developing countries, with China leading the way.
- Cheaper EV models from Chinese companies like BYD are significantly boosting sales in emerging markets.
- Countries like Ethiopia and Nepal are embracing EVs, with Ethiopia banning combustion engine car imports.
- Domestic carmakers, such as Togg in Turkey, are also contributing to the EV transition.
- Cultural perceptions and brand associations can influence EV adoption, as seen with Tesla in Turkey.
- Challenges for developing countries include building sufficient charging infrastructure and ensuring affordability for a wider customer base.
- Price parity and subsidies are making EVs competitive with petrol cars in markets like Turkey and Thailand.
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