China tightens grip on global EV market as consumer confidence soars

China is tightening its hold as the world’s dominant force in electric mobility, buoyed by near-universal satisfaction among its battery electric vehicle (BEV) owners.

A new global survey by consultancy firm Roland Berger shows that 99 percent of Chinese BEV users would consider buying another electric car in the future; a level of consumer confidence unmatched anywhere else.

The findings, drawn from the firm’s 2025 EV Charging Ecosystem Index survey involving 12,000 respondents worldwide, highlight how strong policy support, homegrown technological innovation, and consumer enthusiasm have powered China’s electric vehicle revolution.

According to the report, which was published by the China Daily, EV penetration worldwide - covering both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models - climbed from 20 percent in 2023 to 25 percent in 2024.

Yet, China continues to set the pace: its penetration surged from 36 percent to 49 percent, further cementing its position as the largest and most dynamic EV market globally.

Roland Berger attributes this dominance to China’s rapid expansion of its vehicle fleet, robust charging infrastructure, and an EV ecosystem that seamlessly connects manufacturing, energy supply, and digital mobility services - an integration few other regions have achieved.

While global adoption grows, regional trends are diverging. In Europe, momentum has waned. Minor gains in countries such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Portugal were offset by stagnation in France and Italy, while Germany recorded its second consecutive decline after the government ended BEV subsidies in late 2023.

The consultancy warns that the European Union’s relaxation of emissions targets could further dampen near-term progress, even though electrification remains “the long-term direction of travel” for the continent’s auto industry.

Across the Atlantic, the transition is far slower. The United States saw EV penetration rise modestly from 10 to 11 percent in 2024, while Canada climbed from 9 to 15 percent. Mexico, meanwhile, crept up from 1 to 2 percent, signaling steady but incremental change.

The report also reveals a notable shift in why people are choosing electric. While environmental concerns remain important, economic factors - including lower energy and maintenance costs - are now driving more purchase decisions.

In Asia and North America, “economic efficiency” has overtaken environmental motivation as the top reason for going electric, reflecting growing market maturity and confidence in the long-term cost advantages of EV ownership.

Roughly 80 percent of EV owners surveyed drive more than 10,000 kilometers a year, with 74 percent using their vehicles at least four days a week; a sign that EVs are no longer niche, but mainstream mobility choices.

Charging infrastructure remains the next frontier. Though 85 percent of BEV owners globally have home charging access, nearly half of all charging sessions now happen elsewhere, mainly at shopping malls. Charging speed continues to be the top global complaint.

But again, China stands apart. Only 40 percent of Chinese BEV owners expressed dissatisfaction with public charging speeds; a testament to heavy government investment in high-power charging networks and continuous infrastructure upgrades.

More than a third of Chinese respondents said public charging has become more convenient in just the past six months, the highest satisfaction rate globally.

In July, according to the China Daily publication, China’s National Development and Reform Commission directed local authorities to accelerate deployment of high-power chargers, particularly along highways.

The plan aims to double the country’s EV charging capacity between 2025 and 2027, with a target of 28 million charging facilities and over 300 million kilowatts of public charging capacity; enough to serve 80 million EVs.

The nation’s public charging market is now dominated by five major players - Teld, Star Charge, YKC, State Grid, and Xiaoju Charge - which collectively control about 70 percent of all public charging stations, providing scale and stability to the sector.

Roland Berger’s analysis underscores that China’s success rests on the alignment of industrial policy, innovation, and consumer behavior, a combination that has delivered both technological leadership and public trust.

For other regions, particularly Europe and North America, the Chinese model offers lessons in linking infrastructure with adoption, nurturing local innovation, and driving consumer confidence through convenience and economic value.

As the race for electric dominance continues, China’s head start is poised to shape global investment, partnerships, and competition in the EV industry for years to come.