PwC report: BEV market share to reach 30% by 2030 as ICE production drops

Internal combustion engines will cease to represent the majority of global automotive production by 2030, as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are projected to increase their market share from 18% to 30%, according to the inaugural Global Automotive Outlook report by PwC.

Regions Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption Rates

The transition toward electric mobility is advancing at uneven speeds across global markets. While PwC projects that internal combustion engines will drop to a record low of 41% of global production by 2030, regional disparities remain stark. China is expected to lead this transformation, with BEV market share rising to 40% by 2030. Conversely, the United States is forecast to maintain a combustion-heavy production profile, with traditional engines accounting for approximately 51% of output by 2030.

Manuel Díaz Delgado, head of automotive at PwC, notes that the industry is entering a phase where electrification, software, and data analytics redefine business models. Companies are now tasked with diversifying revenue streams while accelerating technological development to compete in high-growth markets.

Consumer Adoption Patterns in Spain

Domestic trends in Spain reflect this broader transition. Según datos del informe de PwC, España registró 270.107 vehículos electrificados vendidos en el acumulado del año, lo que supone un aumento del 37,6% respecto a 2025. Madrid and Catalonia continue to lead national registrations, accounting for 38.59% and 14.24% of the total, respectively.

Despite these gains, industry stakeholders identify administrative friction as a primary barrier to entry. Laura Gonçalves, director general of Powerdot in Spain and Portugal, emphasizes that the issue extends beyond the existence of subsidies. Delays in the disbursement of government incentives have historically discouraged potential buyers, since an aid that is collected months later does not carry the same weight as a discount applied at the moment of purchase. Gonçalves argues that to achieve competitiveness, the market requires more agile administrative processes and standardized criteria for infrastructure deployment, as nearly 24% of existing charging points remain out of service, in many cases pending connection to the electrical grid.

Charging Gaps Restrict Consumer Adoption

The experience of the end-user remains a pivot point for sustained growth. While home charging can offer significant savings for those who have a system to plug in at home, the lack of charging infrastructure limits the immediate addressable market. Jon Lekue, president of the ACV and representative for Faconauto in the Basque Country, notes that although the market has changed more in the last five years than in the twenty before, the current deficit lies in charging infrastructure: around 69% of Spain’s public charging points are still low-power, at 22 kW or less.

Market observers also point to a growing complexity for consumers. Alfonso Martino, an expert in the automotive market and organizer of the Salón Stock Auto in Avilés, described buyers as overwhelmed by the sheer variety of brands, models and motorizations, leaving them somewhat indecisive. He notes that while vehicle autonomy has improved, the rapid influx of new brands—particularly from China—has created logistical challenges for the aftermarket sector, with concerns regarding the availability of spare parts for these newer entrants potentially impacting long-term vehicle maintenance.

Stable Policies Secure Electric Vehicle Market Growth

The regulatory framework remains the final variable in the sector’s trajectory. Industry representatives have called for stability: “ambitious objectives, but with rules that do not change mid-game.” Ultimately, as Mario Caballero, a sales representative at Grupo Meuri, guarantees, “the electric car has ceased to be an alternative of the future to become a real option within the current market.”