The shift towards electric vehicle (EV) adoption is gaining momentum globally. However, some countries are leading the charge. Let’s take a broader look and examine how governments and cities around the world are responding to the growing electric vehicle market.
Norway
Norway serves as an exemplary model for nations transitioning to electric. The country continues to progress towards its vision of having all new passenger vehicles sold be zero-emission by the end of 2025. Recent data from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council found that 98.3% of new cars purchased in September 2025 were electric, bringing the nation’s total percentage for the first nine months of 2025 to an astounding 95%. These figures indicate that the country is on track to achieve its ambitious goal by the end of 2025. Oslo, the capital city, is embracing the EV revolution. In 2024, 26.49% of passenger vehicles in Oslo were electric, ranking the city as having the highest number of EV drivers per capita across Europe.
Kenya
Last year, Kenya’s 2024 National Building Code mandated that all new multi-dwelling and commercial-serving buildings must designate at least 5% of parking spaces for electric vehicles. This watershed policy signals a growing shift across the country towards greater EV accessibility and acceptance. In tandem, the Kenyan government targets to deploy 10,000 public charging points by 2030. This initiative is already underway: the Sh6bn project will install 45 Level 3 fast chargers across six counties at high-usage locations. Currently, there are only a limited number of public chargers across Kenya, most of which are in Nairobi; however, with government advancements, access to charging solutions across the country is likely to increase.
Italy
The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica, MASE) recently announced its own program to increase EV adoption nationwide and replace nearly 39,000 traditional internal combustion (ICE) vehicles. This momentous program allocates €597.3 million in funding for zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure until mid-2026. While Italy’s EV sales still fall behind other European nations, within the country, EV adoption is beginning to accelerate in the north, particularly in cities like Milan and Turin. With a growing EV driving population and increased administrative support for electrification, Italy’s EV adoption rates are likely to continue rising.
China
Over the past few years, China has become the undoubted leader in EV sales. With over eleven million electric cars sold across the country in 2024, electric vehicles accounted for almost half of all China’s car sales. Additionally, the country accounted for nearly two-thirds of global EV sales in 2024. In addition to strong governmental support for EVs, local cities across the country are implementing their own policies, incentives, and infrastructure developments to further reinforce EV adoption. With EV adoption growing across the country, especially in metropolitan areas such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, it’s evident that electric vehicles have established a lasting influence on the market.
United States of America
Within the United States, California continues to spearhead EV adoption and the rollout of charging infrastructure. Across California, there are now over 200,000 EV charging stations, meaning there are 48%+ more EV chargers than gasoline nozzles in the state. Diving deeper into California, Los Angeles County consistently ranks highest in EV adoption rates, with cumulative electric vehicle sales exceeding 685,000 as of midyear 2025.
Chargie
Founded and operated in Los Angeles, California, Chargie is proud to do our part in the global effort to democratize EV ownership and universalize access to charging solutions. To date, Chargie has installed over 22,000+ chargers at 1,200+ properties across the United States. At Chargie, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to drive electric if they choose. That’s why we are working to create a charging network that is safe, reliable, and intuitive. Speak with one of our EV charging experts to learn how your property can benefit from chargers.
