According to a report from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) released this Thursday, 21 of the world's largest vehicle manufacturers' electric vehicle (EV) plans and offerings were evaluated. The findings depict a dynamic landscape where some carmakers are making remarkable strides while others struggle to keep up.
Significant advancements have been made by companies such as Mercedes-Benz and MG, showcasing their capabilities in the low-emission transport sector. However, familiar brands like Mazda, Honda, and Nissan are facing challenges, slipping further down the rankings compared to their peers.
This report aligns with recent developments in Australia, where new fuel-efficiency standards were passed into law, intending to drive automakers towards greater adoption of low-emission models from the next year. Australia’s elevated focus on electric vehicles could elevate the country’s standings in future comparisons.
The ICCT conducted its Global Automaker Rating 2023 by examining the strategic vision, market presence, and technological achievements of 21 prominent automotive manufacturers. While Tesla secured the top spot with robust sales, BYD, despite lower purely electric vehicle sales, remains close behind with a strong portfolio that includes many plug-in hybrids.
BMW secured third place, and Mercedes-Benz's climb to the fourth rank was noteworthy, partly owing to its innovative recycling and repurposing of EV batteries. The Chinese company SAIC, which oversees the MG brand, achieved the fifth position with commendable growth in electric vehicle sales.
On the other end of the spectrum, brands from Japan and India didn't fare as well. Suzuki, Mazda, and Nissan occupied the lowest ranks, with Suzuki being the least impressive contributor to the zero-emission vehicle market according to the study’s criteria. These brands, while showing increased electric vehicle sales, didn’t offer a broad range of low-emission models or managed high energy consumption, contributing to their lower scores.
Stephanie Searle, ICCT's chief program officer, emphasized the critical nature of these rankings. She believes nearly all passenger vehicles must transition to zero-emission models by 2035 to mitigate global warming effects. "Automakers lagging in technology investment could find themselves overtaken by more forward-thinking competitors," she stated.
Global momentum is also influenced by rigorous transport regulations in Europe, the UK, US, and Canada, where electric vehicle sales are expected to surge rapidly in the upcoming years. Notably, there was a 40% global increase in EV sales between 2022 and 2023, with Australia seeing a dramatic rise of 161% from a lower base compared to other nations.
Starting January next year, the Australian government plans to implement a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. This new policy will set emission limits for vehicle brands, including passenger and commercial vehicles, potentially transforming the market landscape in the country.
This article references findings from an original report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
