Guiding the deployment of electric vehicles in the developing world

Transportation contributes about 24% of total global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion. To decarbonize the transportation sector in support of global climate action, electric vehicles (EVs) will play a key role. The total number of EVs on the world’s roads has increased from nearly zero in 2010 to over 16 million in 2021, with battery EVs (BEVs) leading the expansion. The global EV fleet remains concentrated in industrialized regions (China, Europe, and the United States), which accounted for 95% of total EV sales in 2021, while developing countries account for the remaining 5%. This perspective discusses the policy, infrastructure, and financing considerations needed to guide an equitable and effective deployment of EVs in the developing world.