Electro Beat: Your monthly dose of EV news (December 2024 - January 2025)

Electro Beat is back with a bang covering some of the great EV stories from around the globe in December and January (that’s right you’re getting a double feature!). Let’s have a look at just some of the latest and greatest that we cover.

Rolls-Royce have gone all in on the EV transition with a 300m investment into their Goodwood facility, the UK took the lead in European EV registrations, and Volkswagen have not been off to a slow start this year, quite the opposite with an EV that travels 941km on a single charge!

Let’s get plugged in…

Driving change: The UK becomes Europe’s EV leader

2024 was a groundbreaking year for the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) market! For the first time, the UK became Europe’s largest battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, registering an impressive 382,000 BEVs—just ahead of Germany’s 380,000.

This milestone highlights the UK’s rapid transition to electric mobility, powered by forward-thinking policies like the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate and record-breaking consumer demand. Though the UK narrowly missed its 22% target for zero-emission sales, hitting 19.6%, it’s still setting the stage for ambitious future goals: 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

The future for UK EV sales

Looking to the future, Norway offers a glimpse of what’s possible. As a global leader in EV adoption almost 90% of new car sales were BEVs in 2024, with that figure reaching over 98% during peak periods,  thanks to strong incentives, a robust charging network, and policies that make going electric an easy choice. The UK’s latest achievement shows it’s on the right path, and with continued investment in charging infrastructure and affordability, even higher adoption rates could be within reach.

VW ID.7 Pro S travels 941km on a single charge!

In a recent efficiency test, a Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S lived up to its catch phrase: “the future is range”, travelling non-stop for 941 kilometres (584.71 miles)!

Completed in December, the test was conducted on the ‘Low Speed Ring’ circuit in Nardò, southern Italy - with temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius (41 to 59 Fahrenheit). The test was undertaken by professionals - drivers from Volkswagen Driving Experience - and was completed under simulated real-world conditions, such as different traffic scenarios, to ensure the test measured the EVs’ efficiency realistically!

So, how did they do it?

No, the vehicle was not modified! 

With a 210 kW battery, and one full charge, the VW ID.7 Pro S drove round the 12.5 kilometre (7.7 mile) circuit at the average speed of 29 km/h (18mph). This speed was chosen to match rush hour traffic speeds and demonstrate how long EV drivers could endure traffic in big cities!

Volkswagen has claimed the ID.7 Pro S has a “state-of-the-art drive system”, contributing to its impressive performance and resulting in high efficiency. The ID.7 is also very aerodynamic, its design naturally provides minimal drag (the drag coefficient is a low 0.23 if you’d like to get technical!) - contributing to its impressive capabilities.

During the drive, the ID.7 Pro S consumed only 9.2 kWh per 100 km (62.14 miles), a testament for the acceleration in range and efficiency in modern EVs! To put this into perspective, Volkswagen equates this to using around one litre of diesel per 100km, showing the amount of fuel usage and cost electric vehicle drivers are saving!

Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing & Aftersales at Volkswagen, Martin Sander said:

“We are seeing a positive trend in incoming orders in Europe and are currently selling more ID.7 models than Passat. This shows that the ID.7 is a meaningful all-electric addition to the brand’s product portfolio and, in addition to our successful Passat, is also suitable for long distance drivers and as a company car.”

Global EV Sales Surge: 30% Growth Expected in 2025

Record-Breaking EV Sales in 2024

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales reached a record 17.1 million units in 2024, marking a 25% increase from 2023. China led the global market with 11 million EVs sold (+40%), while the US and Canada saw a 9% rise to 1.8 million units. Europe faced a small 3% decline, though the UK market grew nearly 20%, driven by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

2025 Forecast: 30% Growth in EV Sales

According to S&P Global Mobility, global EV sales are projected to rise by 29.9% in 2025, reaching 15.1 million units. EV market share is set to increase from 13.2% to 16.7%, even as overall light vehicle production declines by 0.4%.

Regional EV Market Projections for 2025:

• China: Largest EV market with 29.7% share, but growth slows to 19.7% YoY.

• US: Market share expected to hit 11.2%, up 36%.

• Europe: EV market share forecasted at 20.4%, a 43.4% increase.

• India: Projected to double EV numbers, reaching 7.5% share (+117%).

China’s EV Boom Continues

China’s EV sector saw 40% growth in 2024, driven by a government-backed car trade-in scheme and a surge in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). BYD dominated, accounting for over a third of new EV sales. The brand is also expanding into Europe, with production in Hungary starting in 2025.

North America’s EV Journey

Despite strong sales, the US market faces potential policy reversals, including the removal of EV tax credits and emissions standards. However, investments in EV infrastructure continue, with Rivian securing a $6.6 billion loan from the US Department of Energy.

The Road Ahead for EVs

With strong growth forecasts, the EV industry is poised for another transformative year, though regional policy shifts could shape the trajectory ahead.

The EV boom is driving massive expansion in charging infrastructure, with over 5 million public chargers worldwide in 2024—a 40% jump from the previous year. Governments and companies like Tesla and Shell are rapidly rolling out high-speed charging networks, including ultra-fast hubs that can recharge 80% of a battery in 15 minutes.

Tech advancements, such as wireless charging, are improving efficiency and ease of use. However, challenges remain, especially in rural areas where charging points are scarce. Costs and supply chain issues for materials like lithium also pose hurdles.

To tackle these, governments are offering incentives, while companies explore solar-powered and energy-storing chargers. Global public charging could grow sixfold by 2035, making EVs more accessible beyond cities. With ongoing investment, the future of transport is set to be electric.

Rolls-Royce Invests £300m in Goodwood to Expand Bespoke Production and EV Transition

Major Investment to Secure Rolls-Royce's Future

Rolls-Royce has announced a £300m expansion of its Goodwood facility, the largest single investment since its opening in 2003. The move will enhance its Bespoke and Coachbuild projects while preparing for an all-electric future. The British luxury carmaker, owned by BMW, aims to transition from V12 petrol engines to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030.

Growing Demand for Bespoke Models

Following a record year for Bespoke services, Rolls-Royce saw a 10% increase in customisation value per vehicle in 2024. “Customisation clients” are driving demand for ultra-personalised features such as solid gold bonnet sculptures, mother-of-pearl inlays, and LED ceilings that mimic star patterns on specific dates. The average cost of a bespoke model now exceeds £500,000.

Expanding Production Amid EV Shift

The Goodwood factory, which employed just 300 people in 2003, now houses over 2,500 staff. With the expansion, Rolls-Royce may create additional jobs to meet demand. Despite a 5% dip in sales in 2024, the brand remains strong, with 5,712 vehicles sold. The Cullinan SUV led sales, followed by the Spectre, Rolls-Royce's first EV.

CES (Consumer Technology Association) convention 2025 - EV Innovations

There was plenty of exciting technology shared at the CES (Consumer Technology Association) convention in Las Vegas this January 2025! From AI created by Nvidia that could make autonomous vehicles become even more capable, to Honda’s out-of-this-world 0 Series prototype EV, which Honda claims will have a battery that can be charged in as little as 10 minutes and will make it to North America by 2026!

A Chinese e-mobility company, named Zeekr, also showcased their innovations! Their aim is to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, whilst continuing to maintain their core values of equality, diversity, and sustainability.

They had a few vehicles on display at the CES convention:

• Zeekr 001 FR: A luxury, performance estate with 280 km/h (174mph) top speed

• Zeekr 009 Grand: An ultra-luxury MPV (Muti-Purpose Vehicle) with features such as a private intelligent curtain wall separating the back two passengers from the driver and front passenger, with a flatscreen installed!

• Zeekr MIX: An electric camper van with large internal cabin space and swivelling seats.

Zeekr also had some exciting technological announcements to make at the conference, including:

• Intelligent Driving Innovations: Zeekr revealed its proprietary domain controller, powered by NVIDIA named “DRIVE AGX Thor” (catchy!). This technology is capable of managing multiple autonomous driving scenarios. The first EV equipped with this system will debut this year, 2025!

• Autonomous Mobility Advancements: Zeekr RT, the world’s first mass-produced autonomous mobility vehicle, is set for delivery to Waymo for robotaxi testing.

Finally, Zeekr announced that they’re planning on expanding their charging infrastructure. Currently one of China’s biggest charge point operators (CPO), Zeekr is aiming to go global - with their sights set initially on Thailand and Australia.

Towing, Camping, Charging—Pebble Flow does it all

Exciting news for travel enthusiasts: Pebble, a California-based startup, has unveiled the Pebble Flow, an all-electric travel trailer that blends cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design to elevate the RV experience. Drawing insights from over 3,000 community members, the Flow is tailored for modern adventurers seeking comfort and sustainability on the road.

The Pebble Flow is set to redefine eco-friendly travel, offering a glimpse into the future of RVing. Deliveries are slated to begin in spring 2025, marking a significant step forward in sustainable and smart travel solutions.

For a closer look at the Pebble Flow, check out this full tour: https://youtu.be/rpbfLEOH9Dk

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