Driving into 2025:
The Future of Electric Vehicles

October 10, 2018

Driving into 2025: The Future of Electric Vehicles

October 10, 2018

The car industry is undergoing a radical transformation, with most carmakers agreeing the next 10 years will bring more change than the two previous decades. The next target date cited by automakers as a tipping point is 2025, when everything from materials and fuel to cost and the companies that build cars are set to look dramatically different. In this report, the J.P. Morgan Research team explores the rise of the electric vehicle and what the industry will look like by 2025.

Shifting Gears to electric vehicles

Automakers are preparing to phase out cars powered solely by internal combustion engines (ICEs) as governments look to tackle fuel emissions. The growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is climbing and by 2025, EVs and HEVs will account for an estimated 30% of all vehicle sales. Comparatively, in 2016 just under 1 million vehicles or 1% of global auto sales came from plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).1

By 2025, J.P. Morgan estimates this will rise close to 8.4 million vehicles or a 7.7% market share. While this jump is significant, it doesn’t compare to the kind of growth expected in HEVs - cars that combine a fuel engine with electric elements. This sector is forecast to swell from just 3% of global market share to more than 25 million vehicles or 23% of global sales over the same period.1 This leaves pure-ICE vehicles with around 70% of the market share in 2025, with this falling to around 40% by 2030, predominantly in emerging markets.

EV: Electric vehicle, including BEV, PHEV, FCEV & HEV

BEV: Battery electric vehicle

HEV: Hybrid electric vehicle

FCEV: Fuel cell electric vehicle

ICE: Internal combustion engine

NEV: New electric vehicle (BEV & PHEV)

PEV: Plug-in electric vehicle (BEV & PHEV)

PHEV: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

GLOBAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE FORECAST

mobile-car-graph Created with Sketch. PHEVs Full + Mid Hybrids 2015 2020e 2025e 2030e BEVs Pure ICE 98% 88% 68% 41% 39% 2% 18% 20% 3% 9% 7% 3% 1% 1%

For both North America and Europe, hybrids and BEVs are set to lead over the next decade as plug-in hybrids are not proving too popular in either region. In Europe, plug-in electric vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs) will rise from roughly a 2% share of total new sales in 2017 to around 9% by 2025, nearly eclipsing 1.5 million vehicles by the middle of the next decade. A dramatic move away from ICE-only vehicles is expected and by 2025 only plug-in electric vehicles and HEVs will likely be sold. Over that time period, J.P. Morgan forecasts sales of plug-in electric vehicles in Japan and Korea will reach 384,000 vehicles, representing a market share of 6%, while HEVs will approach 1.8 million vehicles or 27% of total sales. Meanwhile in the U.S., tougher fuel economy regulation will likely push automakers to expand their EV offerings, but not with the same degree of urgency as in Europe, where there are looming carbon dioxide emissions targets and fines. Nevertheless, overall EV sales – including BEV, PHEV and hybrids – are estimated to account for over 38% of total sales in 2025. 1

ESG

Related

The Future Is Electric

Driving into 2025: The future of
electric vehicles

Head of Metals Research & Strategy, Natasha Kaneva, and U.S. Auto analyst, Ryan Brinkman, discuss how the rise of electric vehicles will affect the car industry.

| 00:04:21

Unpacked: Development Finance

Learn how development finance plays an important role in funding sustainable projects, like clean water, in emerging markets, and why there’s a push for private institutions to play a more active role in having an impact.

Video Play Button
Group Created with Sketch.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION

ESTIMATED NORTH AMERICAN LIGHT VEHICLE SALES BY POWER TYPE



Source: J.P. Morgan estimates

China racing ahead

China racing

In terms of production and sales of electric cars, no other nation comes close to China. By 2020, the country is expected to account for a staggering 59% of global sales before easing slightly to 55% by 2025 according to J.P. Morgan data. The rise of mini-EVs with smaller battery packs designed for short-range driving (around 100-150 km) has helped boost the popularity of EVs in China. Prices for mini-EVs start at around RMB 40,000 or $6,250 USD making them affordable. J.P. Morgan’s Research team forecasts the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of China’s new electric vehicle (NEV) market (EVs and PHEVs) is set to hit 46% by 2020, with 2.5 million units produced that year — 25% above the government's target of 2 million units. This forecast is based on a few key drivers:

Prices are falling by 15-20% per annum as the scale of production ramps up and battery suppliers increasingly give away their margins. This puts China on track to produce EV and internal combustion engine technology at cost parity (for compact vehicles) by 2020. Revised subsidy schemes for 2018 also mean certain models will reach price parity after discounts this year.

The State Council's 2020 target calls for 4.5 million units of charging posts and 12,000 units of charging stations.

China’s NEV market subsidies came into effect in June 2018. All existing government subsidies will expire from 2021, which could trigger some “pre-buying” activity before 2020.

Retroactive dual-credit policies announced in March are pushing manufacturers to have a larger proportion of NEVs in their production portfolio. This is to meet China’s 2020 fuel consumption target of an average 5 liters of fuel consumption per 100 km.

China's local government policy requires 30% of all new buses to be NEV.

Electric vehicle batteries

EV battery manufacturing is dominated by a relatively small number of players. Asian manufacturers hold the lion's share of global production, with Panasonic commanding a 40% stake, followed by LG Chem with an 18% market share. CATL is leading the investment in China and currently accounts for 23% of the global market share. Battery prices have fallen dramatically this decade from around $1,000/kilowatt hour (kWh) in 2010 to about $210-230/kWh last year. For EVs to be cost competitive with ICE vehicles, battery costs must fall to around $100/kWh, something that could be achieved by the middle of next decade or earlier according to J.P. Morgan Research estimates.

Global market share for passenger EV lithium-ion batteries

“Auto producers and battery makers are very sensitive to raw material costs. Proportionally, the cost of raw materials will increase over time relative to the total cost of the battery pack. In fact, if total battery pack prices drop from $209/kWh to $100/kWh, but raw material costs stay the same, the raw materials cost would account for 56% of the price, substantially higher than today’s 27%.”

Natasha Kaneva,
Head Of Metals Research And Strategy, J.P. Morgan

As the composition of EV batteries change and the industry expands, the demand and price of certain commodities will be impacted. Mainly driven by China EV sales, global demand for lithium is expected to climb 20% by 2025, according to J.P. Morgan Research forecasts. Increased demand for nickel in EV batteries is also expected to push prices higher, with the battery sector on track to become the second-largest consumer of nickel after the stainless steel market by the middle of the next decade. Of the base metals, after nickel, copper follows as a close second in terms of demand growth potential. As well as being used throughout an entire electric vehicle, the metal is also used in charging ports or stations and cables. Aluminum demand will also get a substantial boost as EVs grow in popularity and vehicles get lighter.

Charging up

As the adoption and use of electric vehicles grows, charging infrastructure needs to catch up and China is winning on that front too. By 2020, the State Council has a target of 4 million new charging posts and 12,000 charging stations, in which state-owned companies such as China State Grid are investing heavily to support. In Europe, utilities and oil majors will be the main drivers, after Shell and Engie entered the market in 2017 with the acquisitions of NewMotion and EVBox, respectively. In the U.S., California is taking the lead with plans to invest $1 billion in the charging network.

AC Level 1

Slowest and least expensive. Mainly used for overnight domestic charging.

AC Level 2

Capable of charging a small- to medium-sized car (24 kWh battery) in 4 to 6 hours.

DC Level 3

Rapid chargers that can typically charge a 24-kWh battery to 80% in roughly 30 minutes.

At the end of last year, just under 600,000 public charging points were installed globally, with 320,000 of these in China according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The majority of these are AC Level 1 and 2, with only around 20% of all public charging points offering “fast” chargers.

Which manufacturers are
taking the lead?

In China, Beijing Auto Industry Corporation (BAIC), BYD and ZhiDou are among the major producers. BAIC's EC180 was China's best-selling electric car last year, which after subsidies starts at around $7,750, with a range of around 110 miles and a top speed of 62 miles per hour. General Motors recently announced plans to launch 10 heavily electrified vehicle models in China from 2021 through 2023, adding to the 10 it already had planned for 2016 through 2020.

Headquartered in California, Tesla specializes in premium BEVs, with prices for its Model S sedan and Model X SUV closer to $100,000. The automaker launched the “mass market” Model 3 last summer for around $35,000, but production delays have hampered its roll out. In Europe, the sporty BMW i8 is one of the priciest EVs on the market, starting from over $140,000. But the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe are proving the most popular, with 20.6% and 19.3% of the BEV market respectively, thanks to their high range (250km-300km) and low cost.

“The market is going to be flooded with multiple ways to own electric powered vehicles. Interestingly, among the premium makers, BMW is first selling smaller EVs before venturing to sell a large SUV electric range. This is in clear contrast to Audi and Mercedes.”

Jose Asumendi,
Head of European Automotives, J.P. Morgan

1J.P. Morgan regional auto equity analysis



Disclaimer:

This communication is provided for information purposes only. Please read J.P. Morgan research reports related to its contents for more information, including important disclosures. JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries (collectively, J.P. Morgan) normally make a market and trade as principal in securities, other financial products and other asset classes that may be discussed in this communication.

This communication has been prepared based upon information, including market prices, data and other information, from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy except with respect to any disclosures relative to J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates and an analyst's involvement with any company (or security, other financial product or other asset class) that may be the subject of this communication. Any opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. J.P. Morgan Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. Any opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual client circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies to particular clients. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned or related to the information herein. Periodic updates may be provided on companies, issuers or industries based on specific developments or announcements, market conditions or any other publicly available information. However, J.P. Morgan may be restricted from updating information contained in this communication for regulatory or other reasons. Clients should contact analysts and execute transactions through a J.P. Morgan subsidiary or affiliate in their home jurisdiction unless governing law permits otherwise.

This communication may not be redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of J.P. Morgan. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this communication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of J.P. Morgan.