Global EV Sales To Hit 35.4 Million Units By 2030: Regional Aluminium‑Use Diverges Sharply
Global battery‑electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicle sales are forecast to reach 35.4 million units annually by 2030, according to industry analysis. After hitting 21 million sales in 2025, global EV volumes will grow at an 11% compound annual rate through 2030. EVs are projected to represent 27% of worldwide passenger‑vehicle sales in 2026.
EV electrification creates uneven aluminium demand trends across major markets. China will see a 79% jump in average BEV aluminium usage, and North America posts a 38% projected rise. In contrast, per‑vehicle aluminium content for European battery‑electric cars is expected to fall 11% between 2025 and 2030, from 310 kg down to 275 kg per BEV, due to shifting vehicle architecture and material choices. Even so, European BEVs still use far more aluminium than traditional internal‑combustion cars.
Battery‑related parts stand as the biggest growth driver for automotive aluminium. Battery enclosures, cooling plates, penetration protectors, electric‑drive motor housings and large megacastings together deliver an extra 53.7 kg of EV‑specific aluminium per unit by 2030. Extrusions, rolled sheet and castings serve battery frames, thermal management systems and vehicle‑body structures, supporting lightweighting to extend EV driving range.
Regional differences in battery‑pack manufacturing costs influence EV affordability and material adoption. China maintains substantially lower battery‑pack costs versus Europe and North America. EV purchase price premiums over ICE vehicles keep narrowing across most markets, except China where EV models already undercut combustion‑engine alternatives.
Aluminium consumption for electric vehicles depends on two key variables: total EV production volumes and OEM material‑selection strategies. While global EV sales boom, automaker design decisions will shape actual aluminium take‑up in each regional market.
Source: AlCircle industry analysis, data dated 26 October 2026. For reference only; not investment advice.
If you want, I can generate a tighter ~120‑word news brief for newsletters.
