Electric Vehicle Sales Strong in 2021; SUVs Sales Still Dominate the Market

In December, data showed SUVs on course to account for more than 45% of global car sales in 2021.

1 minute read

January 18, 2022, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gas Station SUVs

Phillip Lange / Shutterstock

Laura Cozzi and Apostolos Petropoulos report for IEA on global trends in automobile sales, including headlining trends in electric vehicle (EV) and SUV sales.

First EV sales, which Cozzi and Petropoulus have proven resilient from the market disruptions of the pandemic: "In a few key car markets – such as Germany (above 34%), the United Kingdom (28%), France (over 23%) and China (18%) – the market share of electric cars reached record levels as of late November."  

Busales of gas guzzling SUVs are even more resilient, "meeting the most optimistic expectations," while selling five times as many vehicles as EVs. "In 2021, SUVs are on course to account for more than 45% of global car sales – setting a new record in terms of both volume and market share," according to the article.

"The growth of SUVs continues to be robust in several countries, including the United States, India and across Europe. In some other countries, such as China, the growth of SUVs is stagnating, mainly driven by the big rise of small battery-powered electric cars."

More trends on automobile industry trends are included in the source article, including an explanation of the negative consequences of SUV popularity on efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 in IEA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Close-up on BLM sign on Continental Divide Trail in Rawlins, Wyoming.

BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule

The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.

April 20 - Public Domain

Calvary Street bridge over freeway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indy Neighborhood Group Builds Temporary Multi-Use Path

Community members, aided in part by funding from the city, repurposed a vehicle lane to create a protected bike and pedestrian path for the summer season.

April 20 - Smart Cities Dive