The International Energy Agency (IEA), in a new report, says that two million electric cars were sold in the first quarter of 2022.
The sale is up by three-quarters from the same period a year ago.
IEA’s annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook adds that the sales of the electric cars comprise both the fully electric ones and plug-in hybrids.
The report said 6.6 million electric cars were sold in 2021 alone. While electric cars have seen rising patronage in China and about 3.3million cars sold in 2021, sales are lagging in most emerging and developing economies, where only a few models are often available and at prices that are unaffordable for mass-market consumers.
Sustained policy support has been one of the main reasons for strong electric car sales in many markets, with overall public spending on subsidies and incentives doubling in 2021 to nearly USD 30 billion.
“Few areas of the new global energy economy are as dynamic as electric vehicles. The success of the sector in setting new sales records is extremely encouraging, but there is no room for complacency,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
“Policy makers, industry executives and investors need to be highly vigilant and resourceful in order to reduce the risks of supply disruptions and ensure sustainable supplies of critical minerals.
“Under its new Ministerial mandate, the IEA is working with governments around the world on how to strategically manage resources of critical minerals that are needed for electric vehicles and other key clean energy technologies.”
