Despite attempts to push electric vehicles into the mainstream in North American and Europe, it’s China that is leading the switch to electric propulsion.
Earlier this week, consulting firm AlixPartners revealed its Automotive-Electrification Index, a calculation which multiplies the number of EVs sold with the electric range of those vehicles to create a so-called ‘e-range’ and China comfortably comes out on top.
In the second quarter of this year, the Greater China region sold 14 million miles worth of electric range. To put that into perspective, Europe sold 7.83 million miles, North America 6.15 million miles and Japan/Korea 1.29 million, Auto News reports.
Perhaps the most remarkable statistic is that in the first quarter of 2013, China sold just 223,700 miles worth of electric range, exemplifying how its EV industry has exploded ever since.
In China, it is Tesla that is leading the way with 6.61 million miles sold. Other automakers in the top 10 include Renault-Nissan, GM, BMW, Hyundai and local firms BYD Auto, BAIC, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Ninghai Zhidou Electric Vehicles and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile.
Although China is leading the way with EV sales, it is remaining heavily reliant on fossil fuels to power its factories. Consequently, Chinese-built EVs actually consume more energy in their lifetime than traditional gas and diesel-powered vehicles, Bloomberg reports.
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