EV charging races ahead globally, but gaps remain

The global average EV sales penetration – counting both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – rose from 20 percent in 2023 to 25 percent in 2024. But this topline figure conceals major contrasts in regional progress, infrastructure readiness, and user satisfaction.

“Global EV use and EV charging infrastructure showed solid growth in 2024,” notes the Roland Berger report, despite “testing market conditions.”

Who’s leading the global EV transition?

China remains the undisputed frontrunner. Almost one in every two new vehicles sold there in 2024 was electric, up from 36 percent in 2023. The country also leads the global Index rankings, driven by strong infrastructure, policy support, and widespread consumer adoption. With over 11 million EVs sold in 2024 alone and more than 5 million public chargers now deployed – two-thirds of them added in the past year – China’s state-backed strategy continues to pay off.

In contrast, other mature Asian markets such as Japan and South Korea are falling behind. Despite being automotive powerhouses, both saw stagnation in EV adoption and slower charger deployment. Japan’s EV sales penetration remains stuck at 4 percent, hindered by limited access to home charging and perceived weaknesses in public infrastructure.

Europe presents a mixed picture. Norway, the long-time EV trailblazer, still leads on market penetration but lags on infrastructure innovation. Germany saw a second year of falling EV sales after ending national purchase subsidies in 2023. However, France, the UK, and Portugal made solid gains, both in Index scores and infrastructure deployment.

North America’s progress was steady but uneven. The US edged up from 10 to 11 percent sales penetration, while Canada jumped from 9 to 15 percent. Political turbulence, especially looming policy rollbacks under the US Inflation Reduction Act, has dampened confidence. Yet high user satisfaction and a growing fast-charging network provide a silver lining.

Emerging economies are also rising. India, Brazil, and Southeast Asian markets like Thailand and Indonesia posted significant Index score increases. While overall EV penetration remains low, these countries are seeing rapid improvements in charging technology, public rollout, and user satisfaction—often outpacing more mature markets on a relative basis.

“What these markets may lack in EV sales penetration, they make up for in improvements in charging provision, technology, and user satisfaction,” the Roland Berger report states.

Why sales penetration alone doesn’t tell the full story

High EV sales don’t automatically equate to a strong EV market. Norway, for instance, boasts the world’s highest EV penetration rate but scores lower on infrastructure sufficiency and charging power. China, by contrast, scores strongly across the board – high sales, widespread charger deployment, and strong user sentiment.

India and Thailand are other standouts. Though their EV share of new sales is under 5 percent, they rank well in infrastructure growth and charging experience, signalling early-stage ecosystems that are building the foundation for rapid future growth.

“A high sales penetration rate is no guarantee of extensive charging infrastructure provision or high user satisfaction with charging,” the report explains.

How do EV users behave?

EVs are increasingly replacing petrol and diesel cars as daily drivers. Globally, 80 percent of EV owners drive more than 10,000 kilometres a year, and 74 percent use their vehicle at least four days a week. In North America and MENA, drivers are especially likely to clock over 20,000 kilometres annually.

While home charging remains dominant – 85 percent of drivers have access to either private or shared chargers – public charging is still essential. On average, half of all EV charging takes place away from home. This reinforces the importance of expanding convenient, high-speed public infrastructure, especially in apartment-dense cities.

The main frustrations? Charging speed and infrastructure sufficiency. Nearly half of global respondents cited long charging times as a key issue, while 45 percent pointed to inadequate charger availability. Even in mature markets, users want faster and more widely available solutions.

The report confirms that “lengthy charge times and insufficient infrastructure” remain the top user frustrations worldwide.

Infrastructure is expanding, but not fast enough

Global public charger numbers jumped by 33 percent in 2024, reaching over 5 million. However, this growth was uneven. China accounted for the majority of new installations. Europe and North America grew more slowly, while Japan and Korea saw only modest gains. The ratio of EVs to public charge points globally actually worsened slightly, from 10:1 to 11:1, largely due to soaring EV sales in China.

The good news? Fast charging is on the rise. DC chargers now make up over 23 percent of global public charging points, up from 17 percent in 2023. In the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, the figure is over 40 percent. In Europe, however, less than one in five public chargers is DC, reflecting both grid limitations and legacy rollout strategies.

Countries with widespread fast-charging infrastructure – like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE – scored particularly high on user satisfaction, even if their EV sales volumes remain low.

Public charging gets a user approval boost

Satisfaction with public charging is improving worldwide. In 2024, 89 percent of survey respondents said public charging is becoming more convenient. The Middle East and Southeast Asia saw the strongest gains in perceived accessibility.

Charging speed satisfaction is also up, with 60 percent of global users now saying it is “generally fast enough”, compared to 52 percent in 2023. Leaders in this category include the US, Germany, Norway, and the UAE.

Cost concerns are falling too. Only one third of respondents said public charging was more expensive than expected, down from 44 percent the previous year. China stood out with the lowest price dissatisfaction, thanks to price caps and competitive operator pricing.

Yet common frustrations persist. Aside from speed and sufficiency, users want more amenities at charging locations, such as cafes or shops, especially during long top-ups. This demand is particularly acute in Japan, India, and some European markets.

Business models and market dynamics in flux

The EV charging sector continues to evolve rapidly. In Europe, oversupply in some markets has hit operator profitability, leading to consolidation and a shift in investment from quantity to performance. Eastern Europe is emerging as a new investment hotspot, supported by development banks and EU grants.

In North America, the dominance of Tesla’s NACS connector is reshaping infrastructure plans. Many networks are now adapting chargers to serve both Tesla and non-Tesla vehicles, while profitability remains elusive due to policy uncertainty.

Asia-Pacific is led by China’s robust operator ecosystem, dominated by five major players. Automaker involvement is growing, with firms like NIO and Xpeng expanding battery swap networks and ultra-fast chargers. Elsewhere in the region, local operators are gaining traction in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

“The chasing pack is becoming increasingly tightly grouped as younger markets gain on more mature ones,” said Adam Healy, Partner at Roland Berger, in the EV Charging Index 2025 website summary.

A global shift, but not a uniform one

The sixth edition of the EV Charging Index paints a picture of a world moving steadily towards electrification, but doing so unevenly. Market maturity, infrastructure strategy, user behaviour, and policy support all play decisive roles.

China continues to set the pace. But other markets – like Thailand, India, and the UAE – are closing the gap quickly, proving that with the right mix of investment and innovation, progress can be swift.

At the same time, plateauing growth in the US, Japan, and parts of Europe underlines the need for sustained political will and consumer engagement.

“Despite numerous political and macroeconomic challenges, EV sales penetration continues to rise,” said Erin Sowerby, Partner at Roland Berger. “Uptake is increasingly driven by the lower operating costs and high performance of EVs.”

The road to full electrification will not be a straight one. But the journey is well underway.

For a more in-depth look at the MENA region, check out our story here.