How the rise in electric car sales is shaping logistics: Video

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are accelerating globally, marking a significant shift in the automotive industry. Globally, over 1-in-5 (22%) of new cars sold were electric in 2024. This share was 92% in Norway, and in China, it was almost 50%.

As automakers meet the surging demand, supply chains are being transformed. With no engine, transmission or exhaust systems to transport, the electric vehicle supply chain is about batteries, new trade routes and localised production.

Watch Antonio Fondevilla, Global Vertical Head of Automotive at A.P Moller-Maersk discuss what this means for logistics in this video.

What does the rise in electric car sales mean for the logistics industry?

The rise of EVs is reshaping logistics in several key ways:

Battery logistics

• Batteries are the backbone of EVs and are classified as dangerous goods (DG 9).
• Transporting them requires special handling, packaging, and labelling, trained personnel, certified carriers and compliance with international regulations.
• EV batteries (cells, modules, packs) require critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, often sourced from geopolitically sensitive regions.
• This has led to new trade routes and strategic partnerships (e.g., EU-Africa, US-Indonesia), as well as increased vertical integration by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers (companies that supply parts, systems, or components directly to OEMs).

Supply chain transformation

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have around 60-70% fewer moving parts than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, based on industry sources such as Alpha Motor, Metal Forming magazine and Automotive Fleet. This dramatic reduction in mechanical complexity is one of the key advantages of BEVs in terms of reliability, maintenance, and long-term cost of ownership.
• This simplifies assembly lines and reduces the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs). These are internal codes created by companies that help with inventory management, sales tracking, and reordering.
• Modular platforms like the “skateboard” chassis enable faster model development and shared components across brands.

Localised production

• OEMs are increasingly reshoring or nearshoring production to reduce risks and lead times.
• Gigafactories are emerging as logistics hubs, centralising battery production and vehicle assembly.

Reverse logistics and recycling

• There’s a growing need for battery take-back schemes and second-life applications.
• Logistics providers are building closed-loop systems for battery reuse and recycling.

What’s driving the surge in electric car sales?

1. Government policies: Countries like the UK are phasing out petrol and diesel car sales from 2030, supported by zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and incentives. From 2035, all new cars and vans in the UK must be fully zero-emission. The European Union has also set a target to phase out the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans by 2035. However there are currently reviews and discussions underway about this.
2. Technological advancements: EVs now offer longer ranges and faster charging, making them more practical for everyday use.
3. Consumer awareness: Environmental concerns are influencing buying decisions.
4. Electric grid expansion: Infrastructure is growing to support increased EV adoption.

The future of electric car logistics

The forecasted global market share for BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combined in 2025 is around 25%, with China leading the way, followed by Europe and the U.S. For example, BloombergNEF (BNEF) projects that nearly 22 million BEVs and PHEVs will be sold globally in 2025, which would represent one in four new cars sold. The revenue in the electric vehicles market in 2025 is valued at US$784.2 billion worldwide.

As EV supply chains evolve, they create logistics challenges, from battery handling to local knowledge in new markets. Maersk’s people, solutions and network support a seamless battery logistics experience.

Be ready for vehicle electrification to go all the way! Discover more with Maersk Logistics Insights, and learn more about battery logistics. Or for more logistics trends and insights, read and download The Logistics Trend Map.