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11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 16:43

China Is Driving EV Adoption Rates in Emerging Economies

China Is Driving EV Adoption Rates in Emerging Economies

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Analysis by Ilaria Mazzocco and Ryan Featherston

Published November 10, 2025

The global auto industry is rapidly evolving, and the emergence of Chinese manufacturers has created new opportunities and risks for emerging markets.

  1. In several emerging economies, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is taking place alongside that of developed economies, with several countries now outpacing their developed counterparts in terms of new sales of EVs relative to overall car sales.

  2. In much of the world, this transition is being driven to a substantial degree by the global expansion of Chinese automakers. For example, Chinese-made EVs accounted for around 85 percent of new EV sales in Brazil in 2024, according to data from EV Volumes. BYD is particularly notable for its high market share in markets ranging from Turkey (around 20 percent in the first nine months of 2025) to Mexico (73 percent in the same period).

  3. At the same time, emerging markets are not just passive players in this global trend. Many have proactive and pragmatic strategies aimed at promoting sales, supporting domestic manufacturing, and attracting foreign investment. Indonesia, for example, has temporarily removed tariffs on imported EVs for car companies committed to establishing a factory in the country. This follows similar policies introduced by Thailand.

CSIS Charts is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).

© 2025 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.

Tags

Asia, China, Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability, Asian Economics, and Economic Security
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Ilaria Mazzocco

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics
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Ryan Featherston

Research Associate, Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics

Programs & Projects

  • Economic Security and Technology
  • Chinese Business and Economics

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CSIS - Center for Strategic and International Studies Inc. published this content on November 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 10, 2025 at 22:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]