1 in 5 new car sales globally were EVs in 2023, and that’s curbed oil demand – IEA
Without EVs, solar, wind, and nuclear, the global rise in emissions in the last five years would have been three times larger, new International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis shows.
The new findings come from the IEA’s annual update on global energy-related CO2 emissions and the just-released inaugural edition of the IEA’s new series, the Clean Energy Market Monitor, which will track clean energy deployment and broadly outline the implications for global energy markets.
Renewables curbed emissions rise in 2023
The bad news is that energy-related emissions rose in 2023. But the good news is that continued expansion of clean energy technologies meant that global energy-related emissions rose less strongly than in 2022, even as total energy demand growth accelerated.
Emissions increased by 410 million tonnes, or 1.1%, in 2023 – compared with a rise of 490 million tonnes the year before – taking them to a record level of 37.4 billion tonnes.
An exceptional shortfall in hydropower due to extreme droughts in the US, China, and several other economies resulted in over 40% of the rise in emissions in 2023 as countries turned largely to fossil fuels to plug the gap. Had it not been for the unusually low hydropower output, global emissions from electricity generation would have declined in 2023, making the overall rise in energy-related emissions significantly smaller.
Advanced economies saw a record fall in their emissions in 2023 even as their GDP grew. Their emissions dropped to a 50-year low while coal demand fell back to levels not seen since the early 1900s.
It was a combination of strong renewables deployment, coal-to-gas switching, energy efficiency improvements, and softer industrial production that drove the decline in advanced economies’ emissions, reports the IEA.
Last year was the first in which at least half of electricity generation in advanced economies came from such low-emissions sources as renewables and nuclear.
Clean energy’s impact over the last 5 years
From 2019 to 2023, growth in clean energy was twice as large as that of fossil fuels. The new IEA analysis shows that the deployment of clean energy in the past five years has substantially limited increases in demand for fossil fuels, laying the groundwork to accelerate the transition away from them this decade.
The deployment of wind and solar in electricity systems worldwide since 2019 has been sufficient to avoid an amount of annual coal consumption equivalent to that of India and Indonesia’s electricity sectors combined – and to dent annual natural gas demand by an amount equivalent to Russia’s pre-war natural gas exports to the EU.
The growing number of EVs on the roads, accounting for 1 in 5 new car sales globally in 2023, also played a significant role in keeping oil demand (in terms of energy content) from rising above pre-pandemic levels.
“The clean energy transition has undergone a series of stress tests in the last five years – and it has demonstrated its resilience,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “A pandemic, an energy crisis, and geopolitical instability all had the potential to derail efforts to build cleaner and more secure energy systems. Instead, we’ve seen the opposite in many economies.”
Read more: Utility solar dethrones coal as the cheapest power source in Asia
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![Here's your first look at the Hyundai IONIQ 2 [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/hyundai-ioniq-2-first-look.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
We are finally getting our first look at the IONIQ 2, the smaller sibling to the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Hyundai is expected to reveal the new EV next month, but after it was spotted driving near its tech center, we are already getting a sneak peek. Check it out for yourself in the video below.
First look at the Hyundai IONIQ 2 reveals new low-cost EV
Hyundai is betting on more affordable EVs to drive growth. It’s already finding success with the Inster EV, its cheapest electric car.
In the heart of Europe, Germany, the Inster EV was the top-selling small electric car through the first half of the year.
Hyundai is preparing to introduce another low-cost EV as part of its expanding IONIQ lineup. The IONIQ 2 will sit between the Inster EV and Hyundai Kona Electric in an increasingly popular segment.
Hyundai is expected to introduce the IONIQ 2 next month at the Munich Motor Show, with sales set to begin in mid-2026.
Although we caught a glimpse of a camouflaged model last month in a South Korean parking lot, a new video reveals the IONIQ 2 testing on the road.
The video from CarSpyMedia offers a good look at the new EV from all angles. As with the EV2, the IONIQ 2 will feature a taller, more SUV-like profile.
It’s still covered, but you can expect to see new design elements, such as redesigned LED headlights, featured on the new IONIQ 6.
The interior will undergo a “step change” from current models, according to Autocar, with new software, features, and an updated infotainment system.
Like most Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles, the IONIQ 2 will be based on its E-GMP platform. It will likely be offered with different battery pack options, similar to the Kia EV3. The EV3 is available with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs, providing WLTP range of 267 miles and 372 miles respectively.
You can also expect it to share parts and similar styling to Kia’s upcoming EV2. The EV2 is scheduled to go on sale a few months ahead of the IONIQ 2.
Hyundai has yet to announce the price range, but it’s likely to start at around 30,000 euros ($35,400), which is slightly less than the Kia EV3’s price of 35,990 euros ($42,500).
Unfortunately, the IONIQ 2 is not expected to launch in the US. Hyundai is doubling down on SUVs after ramping output of the three-row IONIQ 9 and 2025 IONIQ 5 at its Georgia EV plant.
Hyundai Motor, including Kia and Genesis, is gearing up to launch its next-generation electric vehicles. An Electrek reader shared an image (shown below) of a few new camouflaged models testing in Europe.
The vehicle on the left, spotted in France last week, appears to be the new Hyundai Staria electric van. Given the distinctive two-line LED headlights, the vehicle at the front is likely a Genesis model.
Although it’s hard to tell, it appears to be the new GV90, an ultra-luxury Genesis electric SUV. Hyundai’s luxury brand is upscaling its lineup with the new full-size SUV serving as its new flagship model. The GV90 is expected to go head-to-head with the Mercedes G-Wagen. Last month, we got our first look at the GV90 with coach doors, giving off the Rolls Royce feel. It’s expected to arrive around mid-2026.
What do you think of the IONIQ 2? Would you buy one for around $35,000? Or, are you waiting for the ultra-luxe Genesis GV90? Drop us a comment below.
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The “Holy Grail” of EV batteries may be closer than we think. The first mass-produced EV to feature a semi-solid-state battery, the new MG4, was just cleared for sale in China.
Is the MG4 the first EV with a semi-solid-state battery?
After opening pre-orders for the new MG4 earlier this month, starting at about $10,000 (73,800 yuan), SAIC Motor announced that pricing for the semi-solid-state battery version would be revealed in September.
Well, we are already getting a look at the new variant. The MG4, equipped with a semi-solid-state battery, was included in the latest batch of vehicles cleared for sale by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) this week.
According to the regulatory filing, the new EV will feature the same single front-mounted 120 kW (161 hp) electric motor as the other models.
As expected, the biggest change is the battery. The new variant swaps the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that powers other MG4 models for a manganese-based lithium-ion battery. The battery is manufactured by Suzhou Qingtao Power Technology Co, a global leader in solid-state Li-ion EV batteries.
Other optional features include a 360-degree camera, front and rear radars, front badging, a tinted roof, and privacy glass.
Although it has been cleared for sale, we will have to wait until closer to launch for prices, range, battery capacity, and other specs.
For now, the new MG4 is available in four trims: Comfort, Ease, Freedom, and Smart. Two battery pack options are available, 42.8 kWh and 53.9 kWh, providing CLTC ranges of 437 km (272 miles) and 530 km (330 miles), respectively.
Prices start at 73,800 yuan ($10,000) for the base “Comfort” trim, ranging up to 105,800 yuan ($15,000) for the “Smart” edition model.
At 4,395 mm long, 1,842 mm wide, and 1,551 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the new MG4 is slightly bigger than the popular BYD Dolphin EV hatch.
Inside, the semi-solid-state battery version is expected to feature the same setup with a 15.6″ floating infotainment and plenty of smart tech.
SAIC MG claims the new MG4 will be the first mass-produced EV to launch globally with a semi-solid-state battery. Prices and more info will be revealed in September, with deliveries beginning by the end of 2025.
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Polestar’s electric SUV set a new Guinness World Record after travelling over 580 miles (935 km) on a single charge. The trip took nearly 23 hours, but the Polestar 3 now claims the world record for the longest journey travelled by an electric SUV.
The Polestar 3 sets a new Guinness World Record
The record was set by an unmodified Polestar 3 Long Range Single motor model. Polestar launched the new variant in Europe last summer, followed by the US and other global markets in late 2024.
Powered by the same 111 kWh battery as the Dual Motor Polestar 3, the entry-level version features a single 295 hp (220 kW) rear-mounted motor. It’s also the most efficient model, rated with a WLTP range of 706 km (435 miles).
However, after a record-breaking trip this week, the Polestar 3 proved it’s much more efficient than the numbers show.
The Polestar 3 drove 935.44 km (581.3 miles) on public roads in the UK, setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey traveled by an electric SUV and smashing its range estimates by almost 230 km (143 miles).
According to Polestar, the electric SUV reached its WLTP range figure and still had 20% battery capacity, which allowed it to travel an additional 12.8 km (8 miles) before reaching 0%. And it did make it to a charger, in case you were wondering.
“While the drivers pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years,” Polestar’s UK Managing Director, Matt Galvin, said.
Galvin added that “For a large premium SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive and with this the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”
The trip took 22 hours and 57 minutes, but the electric SUV delivered an impressive performance. Professional efficiency drivers, Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker, took turns driving every three hours.
The unmodified Polestar 3 was fitted with standard 20″ wheels and Michelin Sport 4 EV tires. Guinness World Record judge, Paulina Sapinska, verified the attempt. You can watch it in the video above.
Electrek’s Take
With an efficiency of 12.1 kWh/100 km (19.5 kWh/100 miles), or 5.13 miles/kWh, the Polestar 3 proved to be even more efficient than the Lucid Air Pure.
Lucid introduced the 2025 Air Pure last summer as the “World’s most efficient car” with an EPA estimated 5.0 miles/ kWh.
Last month, the Lucid Air Grand Touring model set a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey by any electric car on a single charge after driving 1,205 km (749 miles) through the Alps and into Germany.
And last week, GM announced the 2025 Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck set a world record after it drove 1059.2 miles on a single charge.
With most automakers and many other companies chasing more efficient batteries with new chemistries, this could be just the start.
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