The transition toward zero-emission mobility continues to gain ground. According to the latest estimates released by BloombergNEF in its Electric Vehicle Outlook 2026 report, by the end of the year more than one in four new cars sold worldwide will be fully electric. This growth confirms the sector’s consolidation and could lead, by 2035, to a majority presence of electric vehicles in the global vehicle fleet.

The forecasts indicate a market share of 27% for electric cars in 2026, a significant jump compared to the 9% recorded just five years ago. This expansion is driven by several factors: the continued reduction in battery costs, the arrival of more affordable models, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in many emerging countries.

The driving force of the electric revolution remains China, but surprising results are coming from Singapore, where electric cars accounted for 49% of sales in 2025, while in Vietnam and Thailand the shares reached 39% and 27% respectively. Particularly notable is the growth in Turkey, where EV registrations more than doubled within twelve months, reaching 22% of the national market.

According to BloombergNEF, the rapid spread of electric mobility in these economies is supported by efforts to reduce dependence on imported oil, openness to Chinese manufacturers, and industrial strategies focused on sustainable mobility.

The electric boom is also reshaping the energy market

The expansion of electric vehicles is already influencing global energy demand prospects. BloombergNEF expects road transport fuel consumption to peak by 2029 and then begin to decline.

In the analysts’ scenario, the rise of electric vehicles and improvements in energy efficiency could eliminate by 2040 a demand equivalent to about 25.8 million barrels of fuel per day. This effect is significantly larger than that expected from other energy-intensive sectors such as aviation, maritime transport, and petrochemicals.

Despite the positive outlook, BloombergNEF has revised its forecasts downward for the second consecutive year. The main factors are the slowdown in China and changing conditions in the United States.

In major European markets, including Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, a battery-powered model still costs on average 17% more than an equivalent internal combustion vehicle. However, the gap has narrowed significantly compared to 2024, when the average premium exceeded 30%. This improvement is mainly due to falling lithium-ion battery costs.

The growing electrification of mobility will also lead to a strong increase in energy demand. In 2025, electric vehicles consumed around 367 TWh of electricity; by 2040, demand could exceed 2,700 TWh. To support this growth, global investments of more than $800 billion in grid infrastructure will be required.

At the same time, demand for stationary storage systems will increase. BloombergNEF forecasts growth in energy storage battery demand 27% higher than estimates made just one year earlier, attracting interest from numerous automotive manufacturers.

Among transport vehicles intended for professional use, urban buses represent the most advanced segment. In more than twenty countries, over half of new sales already involve electric models, with the share expected to reach 60% by 2030.

Innovative technologies for the production and recycling of electric and hybrid vehicles for the automotive, transport, and industrial sectors will be showcased at E-Tech Europe, which will take place from October 7 to 9, 2026 at BolognaFiere as part of Urban Tech 2026 – The Urban Technology Show, a new event dedicated to e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecommunications & data, and the environment.